^^^vj  of  Prince, 


^  DEC 


8    1886 


.<. 


^^^^icaiSe^^ 


SOC 


Section. ,.Q.;^  /  ^ — 
No,.. 


p.  ,.  -.r:\/'Ve>r\  a.vn       cV^ 


OYERTUEE      ;  >'  DEC   8   m 


E  E  tj  N  I  O  N  : 

THE  REPORTS 

OF  THE 

JOII^T    COMMITTEE 

OF   THE 

TWO  GENERAL  ASSEMBLIES  OF  1866-7, 

AI^D  OF  THE 

jSpEciAL     Committee 

OP  THE 

(X.  S.)  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  OF  1868. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRESBYTERIAN    I>TJBIhICATIOIS3-    COMMITTEE, 

BY      THE      STATED      CLERK. 
John  A.  Gray  &  Greek,  Printers,  cor.  of  Jacob  and  Frankfort  Sts. 

1868. 


THE    JOlJ^TT    COMMITTEE. 


(O.  S.) 

CHARLES   C.   BEATTY,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Steubeiwille,  0. 
JOHN   T.   BACKUS,  D.D.,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
PHINEAS   D.   GURLEY,  D.D.,  Wasliington,  D.  C. 
JOSEPH  G.   MONFORT,  D.D.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
WILLIAM   D.   HOWARD,  D.D.,  Allegheny  City,  Pa. 
WILLIAM  E.   SCHENCK,  D.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
VILLEROY  D.   REED,  D.D.,  Camden,  N.  J. 
FREDERICK   T.   BROWN,  D.D.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 
J.   EDSON   ROCKWELL,  D.D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
JAMES   M.   RAY,  lEsq.,  ndianapolis,  Ind. 
Hon.  ROBERT   Mcknight,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Hon.  SAMUEL  GALLOWAY,  LL.D.,  Columbus,  0. 
Hon.  HOVEY  K.  CLARKE,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Hon.  GEORGE  P.   STRONG,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Prof.  ORMOND  BEATTY,  LL.D.,  Danville,  Ky. 

(N.  S.) 

WILLIAM   ADAMS,  D.D.,  New- York  City,  N.  Y. 

EDWIN   F.   HATFIELD,   D.D., 

JONATHAN   F.   STEARNS,   D.D.,  Newark,  N.  J. 

PHILEMON   H.   FOWLER,  D.D.,  Utica,  N.  Y. 

JAMES  B.   SHAW,  D.D.,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

HENRY  L.   HITCHCOCK,  D.D.,  Hudson,  O. 

ROBERT   W.  PATTERSON,  D.D.,  Chicago,  111. 

HENRY  A.   NELSON,  D.D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 

GEORGE   F.  WISWELL,  D.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Hon.  EDWARD   A.   LAMBERT,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Hon.  JOSEPH  ALLISON,  LL.D.,  West-Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Hon.  henry  W.  WILLIAMS,  LL.D.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Hon.  TRUMAN   P.   HANDY,  Cleveland,  0. 

Mr.  ROBERT   W.   STEELE,  Dayton,  O. 

Hon.  JACOB  S.  FARRAND,  Detroit,  Mich. 


ACTIOS'    OF    THE   ASSEMBLY   OF    18G8, 
ON  REUNION. 


Extracts  from  tlie  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  session  at  Harrisburgh,  Pa.,  May 
22d,  18G8  : 

FRIDAY,  May  22d,  18G8. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  18G6, 
and  continued  by  the  Assembly  of  1867,  to  confer  with  a  similar 
Committee  of  the  otlier  Assembly  in  regard  to  the  Reunion  of 
the  two  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  presented  a  Re- 
port, M'hich  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee  of  Nine,  to  be 
aj^jiointed  by  the  Moderator. 

SATURDAY,  May  23d,  1868. 
The  Moderator  announced  as  the  Special  Committee  on  Re- 
union, Rev.  Laurens  P.  Hickok,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Rev.  Joseph  F. 
Tuttle,  D.D.,  Rev.  Samuel  T.  Spear,  D.D.,  Rev.  Henry  B.  Smith, 
D.D.,  LL.D.,  and  Rev.  Augustus  T.  Norton,  with  the  Elders, 
Hon.  William  E.  Dodge,  Hon.  Augustus  P.  Hascall,  Edward 
Miller,  and  Samuel  H.  Mather. 

The  Special  Committee,  to  whom  was  referred  the  Report  of 
the  Joint  Committee  on  Reunion,  presented  their  report  on 
Tuesday,  May  26th  ;  it  was  accepted,  and  considered  from  day 
to  day,  until  Friday,  May  29th,  when  its  further  consideration 
having  for  the  present  been  suspended,  it  was 

Hesolved,  That,  before  proceeding  to  take  the  vote  upon  tlie 
report  of  the  Special  Committee  on  Reiinion,  the  roll  be  called, 
that  any  member  may  express  his  dissent  from  any  article  of  the 
l^roposed  terms  of  Reiinion,  and  that  such  dissent  be  entered  on 
the  record. 

In  accordance  with  this  action,  the  roll  was  called,  and  the  fol- 
lowing members  expressed  their  dissent  from  the  2d  and  10th 
articles  of  the  Basis  proposed  by  the  Joint  Committee  on  Reunion, 
namely;  the  Rev.  Henry  A.  Nelson,  D.D.,  Rev.  Timothy  Hill, 


and  Elder  Jason  Yurann  ;  Elder  Eli  R.  Miller  expressed  his  dis- 
sent from  the  2d  article ;  and  the  following  members  expressed 
their  dissent  from  the  10th  article,  namely;  Ministers,  William 
Waith,  T.  Ralston  Smith,  D.D.,  William  T.  Eva,  Joseph  Vance, 
Frederick  A.  Noble,  William  A.  McCorkle,  Ira  M.  Weed,  Charles 
S.  Adams,  C.  Solon  Armstrong,  Henry  B.  Eldred,  Warren  Taylor, 
David  E.  Beach,  Edward  D.  Morris,  D.D.,  A.  Alexander  Jime- 
son,  Evan  L.  Davies,  Charles  H.  Marshall,  Henry  S.  Little,  John 
B.  Fowler,  George  Duffield,  Jr.,  George  M.  Jenks,  Robert  W. 
Patterson,  D,D.,  Arthur  Swazey,  John  H.  Walker,  George  D. 
Young,  John  M.  Brown,  and  Thomas  Brown  ;  and  the  Elders, 
Hon.  Frederick  H.  Hastings,  Merrill  IsT.  Hutchinson,  Samuel  T. 
Bodine,  Daniel  B.  Greene,  Matthew  Newkirk,  Daniel  S.  Beaver, 
and  John  De  Clue. 

The  report  of  the  Special  Committee  was  then  taken  up,  amend- 
ed, and  unanimously  adopted.  The  Rev.  Robert  W.  Patterson, 
the  Rev.  Arthur  Swazey,  the  Rev.  J.  Ambrose  Wight,  and  Elder 
Richard  Edwards  were  excused  from  voting. 

The  report  of  the  Reunion  Committee  of  Fifteen  is  as  follows : — 

EEPOET    OF    THE    COMMITTEE    02Sr    BEiJNION. 

The  Committee,  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  of  186G, 
to  confer  with  a  similar  Committee  of  the  other  Assembly,  in  re- 
gard to  the  Reiinion  of  the  two  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  ;  and  continued  by  the  Assembly  of  1867,  with  directions 
and  instructions  to  cooperate  with  the  other  Committee  in  fur- 
therance of  the  object,  and  "  report  to  the  General  Assemblies  of 
1868  any  modification  of  the  terms  of  Union  which  might  seem 
desirable  to  the  Joint  Committee  in  view  of  any  new  light  that 
may  have  been  received  during  the  year," — would  now  respect- 
fully report : — 

That  the  two  Committees  again  assembled  in  joint  meeting,  in 
the  city  of  Philadelphia,  on  Wednesday  a.m.,  the  11th  of  March, 
1868,  and  continued  in  conference  reviewing  the  terms  of  Union, 
with  the  farther  light  which  they  had  received,  till  Saturday 
afternoon,  the  14th,  when,  having  finished  the  important  business 
with  which  they  were  intrusted,  they  finally  adjourned. 

Every  member  of  these  large  Committees  was  present  with  the 
exception  of  Rev.  Dr.  Hitchcock,  of  Ohio,  absent  in  Europe, 
Rev.  Dr.  Howard,  of  Pennsylvania,  detained  by  severe  illness,  and 


5 

Judge  Strong,  of  Missouri,  prevented  by  unavoidable  professional 
eno-arjements.  Rev.  Dr.  Patterson,  of  Illinois,  arrived  from  a  for- 
cigii  voyage,  after  a  long  absence,  in  season  to  meet  the  Com- 
mittee ;  but,  feeling  himself  obliged  to  leave  for  home  on  Thursday 
afternoon,  did  not  participate  in  the  final  action.  This  large 
and  patient  attendance  was  a  new  indication  of  the  deep  interest 
which  is  felt  throughout  the  country  in  the  subject  under  consi- 
deration, and  also  of  the  profound  sense  of  responsibility  on  the 
jjart  of  the  several  members  of  the  Joint  Committee,  charged  to 
take  action  in  a  matter,  which  must  affect  extensively  and  per- 
manently the  interests  of  our  country  and  the  kingdom  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

To  our  regret,  the  report  expected  from  the  Legal  Advisers 
appointed  to  investigate  questions  of  property  and  vested  rights 
was  not  received,  owing  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Daniel  Lord,  and 
the  fiict  that  Judges  Strong  and  Sharswood  had  declined  to  act 
in  the  premises,  because  of  their  present  official  position  on  the 
Bench.  After  filling  a  vacancy  by  the  appointment  of  Hon. 
William  M.  Porter,  of  Philadelphia,  we  requested  the  Legal 
Committee  to  meet  as  soon  as  practicable  and  prepare  their  re- 
port, which  Avill  be  submitted  by  them  directly  to  the  Assem- 
blies. 

To  affirm  that  all  the  meetings  of  the  Joint  Committee  were 
distinguished,  as  heretofore,  by  Christian  courtesy  and  kindness 
Avould  be  but  a  faint  expression  of  the  truth.  This  sentiment  of 
fraternal  confidence  and  regard  assumed  such  forms  of  expression, 
that  all  who  participated  in  the  conference  will  be  sure  to  re- 
member it,  as  one  of  the  greatest  and  happiest  privileges  of  their 
lives.  This  kindness  of  feeling,  however,  did  not  repress  or 
modify  the  utmost  frankness  in  the  statement  of  difficulties,  real 
and  alleged,  on  either  side.  It  ought  to  be  stated  distinctly,  in 
justice  to  all  the  many  interests  and  sections  represented  by  these 
Committees,  that  there  was  not  the  least  reserve  in  the  expression 
of  the  objections,  which  had  been  urged  in  any  quarter,  against 
the  proposed  reunion.  So  frank  and  explicit  was  this  utterance, 
that  at  times  it  aj^peared  as  if  honest  diiferences  of  opinion  would 
render  success  uncertain.  But  the  eifect  of  continued  and  candid 
conference  was  the  increase  of  confidence,  through  the  correction 
of  misapprehensions  and  the  removal  of  obstacles,  so  that  the 
very  clouds,  which  threatened  to  obscure  the  light,  arranged  them- 
selves at  last  so  as  to  reflect  and  increase  what  they  could  not 


6 

hide.  The  prayers  of  many  churches  and  Conventions,  in  different 
parts  of  the  coiintry,  known  to  the  Committee  to  be  ascending  to 
God  in  their  behalf,  were  abundantly  answered  in  the  entire  har- 
mony and  unanimity  to  which  they  eventually  attained.  By  this 
unanimity  it  is  not  meant,  that  in  every  article  and  act  of  the 
Committee  the  preferences  of  each  member  were  fully  met ;  but 
that  all  were  finally  agreed,  that  the  basis  of  Union  now  to  be 
reported  was,  in  the  circumstances,  the  best  that  could  be  framed 
in  the  way  of  adjusting  divers  conflicting  views  and  interests; 
and  as  such  it  was  adopted,  in  the  final  vote,  with  entire  unani- 
mity, pledges  of  cordial  support,  and  sincere  thanks  to  Almighty 
God. 

Your  Committee  are  fully  persuaded  that,  if  the  ministers, 
elders,  and  members,  of  both  branches  of  the  Church  had  been 
present  at  our  recent  conferences,  seen  what  we  saw,  and  heard 
Avhat  we  heard,  they  would  heartily  join  in  the  result  which  was 
reached  by  their  representatives.  "With  this  belief  the  Com- 
mittee have  judged  it  expedient  and  proper,  to  accompany  their 
report  with  such  explanatory  words,  as  may  serve  to  convey  to 
others  the  facts  and  motives  which  proved  of  such  weight  to  them- 
selves. 

Your  Committee  were  not  at  liberty  to  forget  or  overlook 
the  premises  upon  Avhich  they  received  their  appointment. 
The  Resolution  of  the  General  Assembly  (0.  S.)  in  which  this 
movement  originated,  expressed  the  ^'■earnest  desire''''  of  that 
body  "  for  retinion  at  the  earliest  time  consistent  with  agreement 
in  doctrine,  order,  and  polity,  on  the  basis  of  our  common  stand- 
ards and  the  prevalence  of  mutual  confidence  and  love."  The 
General  Assembly,  (N.  S.,)  in  responding  to  this  action  by  a  simi- 
lar vote,  expressed  "its  earnest  loish  for  retinion"  on  a  similar 
basis. 

This  EARNEST  DESiKE  for  Uniou,  as  confessed  by  both  bodies,  is 
a  fixct  which  antedates  the  appointment  of  your  Committee.  They 
were  not  commissioned  to  inquire  whether  it  existed,  or  to  take 
measures  to  excite  and  promote  it.  The  existence  of  this  ac- 
knowledged sentiment  was  the  basis  upon  which  the  two  Com- 
mittees were  appointed.  These  premises  assumed,  the  position 
occupied  by  the  Joint  Committee,  and  the  point  of  view  from 
which  they  should  survey  their  work,  were  already  decided  by 
both  Assemblies. 

The  desirableness  of  retinion,  if  it  can  be  consummated  on 


satisfactory  terms,  is  not  to  l)e  treated  and  put  aside  as  a  Wind 
and  imbecile  impulse ;  it  is  the  act  and  expression  of  Christian 
wisdom.  The  movement,  thus  inaugurated  and  advanced,  was 
not  made  necessary  by  the  condition  or  prospects  of  either  of  the 
bodies  now  in  conference.  Each  is  thoroughly  organized,  equip- 
ped, and  prosperous.  Neither  needs  tlie  accession  of  the  other 
for  its  oion  sake  merely.  The  motives  Avhich  impel  to  union  are 
higher  and  greater  than  any  which  pertain  to  denominational 
advantage.  They  relate  to  the  Avelfare  of  the  whole  country,  and 
the  kingdom  of  our  Lord  in  all  the  earth.  On  this  high  ground, 
chosen  for  them  in  the  providence  of  God,  by  the  action  of  both 
Assemblies,  the  two  Committees  took  their  stand,  inclined  in 
advance,  when  any  concessions  were  to  be  made,  that  the  lesser 
preference  should  defer  to  the  greater  and  the  stronger. 

The  changes  which  have  occurred  in  our  own  country  and 
throughout  the  world,  during  the  last  thirty  years — the  period 
of  our  sepai-ation — arrest  and  compel  attention.  Within  this  time 
the  original  number  of  our  States  has  been  very  nearly  doubled. 
It  was  in  the  year  1837  that  Avhat  is  now  the  great  and  prosper- 
ous State  of  Michigan  was  admitted  into  the  Union.  Florida, 
Texas,  "Wisconsin,  Iowa,  California,  Minnesota,  Oregon,  Kan- 
sas, Nevada,  Nebraska,  have  followed  in  rapid  succession  ; 
with  numerous  Territories  already  organized,  soon  to  take  their 
places  in  the  National  Union.  And  all  this  vast  domain  is  to 
be  supplied  with  the  means  of  education  and  the  institutions 
of  religion,  as  the  only  source  and  protection  of  our  national  life. 
The  population  crowding  into  this  immense  area  is  heterogeneous. 
Six  millions  of  emigrants,  representing  various  religions  and  na- 
tionalities, have  arrived  on  our  shores  within  the  last  thirty  years ; 
and  four  millions  of  slaves,  recently  enfranchised,  demand  Chris- 
tian education.  It  is  no  secret  that  anti-Christian  forces — Ro- 
manism, Ecclesiasticism,  Rationalism,  Infidelity,  Materialism,  and 
Paganism  itself— assuming  new  vitality,  are  struggling  for  the  as- 
cendency. Christian  forces  should  be  combined  and  deployed, 
according  to  the  new  movements  of  their  adversaries.  It  is  no 
time  for  small  and  weak  detachments,  which  may  easily  be  de- 
feated in  detail.  A  lesson  has  been  given  us  in  recent  years,  as  to 
the  ease  with  which  diversities  of  sentiment  may  be  harmonized 
and  combined  in  one  purpose  to  maintain  the  national  life.  The 
time  has  come  when  minor  motives  should  be  nierged  in  the  mao-- 


nanimous  purpose,  inspired  both  by  patriotism  and  religion,  to 
Cliristianize  the  whole  country. 

The  necessity  of  a  closer  union  among  Christians  of  a  common 
foith  and  order  has  come  to  be  felt,  in  a  new  sense,  by  the  mem- 
bers of  our  several  Churches.  It  cannot  be  denied,  that  there  ex- 
ists a  wide-spread  and  eai-nest  longing  for  more  of  visible  unity 
among  all  classes  of  Christian  people.  This  is  especially  notice- 
able among  the  most  intelligent,  active,  and  generous  in  our 
connection.  Responding  to  the  teachings  and  challenges  of  the 
Pulpit,  the  laity  in  our  large  cities  and  towns  have  entered  upon 
a  new  stage  of  Christian  activity,  demonstrating  the  possibility  of 
practical  union  in  the  stewardship  of  Christ.  In  many  quarters 
there  is  an  evident  increase  of  evangelic  life  and  energy.  With 
these  facts  well  authenticated  before  them,  your  Committee  feel 
that,  should  the  elements  now  stirred  and  converging  toward 
union  be  diverted  and  repelled  from  their  object,  the  effect  would 
be  most  disastrous  on  the  prospects  of  true  religion.  If  the  hearts 
of  Christian  peojile,  combined  already  throughout  the  land  in 
Christian  work,  should  be  disappointed  as  to  that  organic  union 
which  they  crave,  and  this,  through  differences  asserted  by  the 
clergy,  which  the  laity  either  do  not  understand  or  with  Avhich 
they  have  no  sympathy,  the  certain  effect  will  be  to  lessen  the 
sentiment  of  respect  and  confidence  on  their  part  toward  their 
appointed  leaders,  and  weaken  the  force  of  paramount  motives. 

ISTor  is  the  proposed  Union  desirable  on  our  own  account  only. 
It  is  inevitable  that  its  effects  should  be  felt  throughout  the 
whole  of  Christendom.  Many  of  the  ecclesiastical  organizations 
of  Protestant  Europe  had  their  origin  in  remote  controversies 
connected  with  the  Reformation.  That  was  a  time  for  the  as- 
sertion of  truth,  rather  than  for  the  expression  of  love.  It  was 
not  so  much  a  season  for  extending  Christianity  as  for  purifying 
and  preparing  it  for  future  aggression.  If  we  must  judge  now, 
that  segregation  was  then  carried  to  an  extreme  beyond  what 
was  required  by  necessity  and  Christian  charity,  surely  we  pos- 
sess peculiar  advantages  in  this  country  and  age,  for  availing  our- 
selves of  a  wiser  and  happier  policy.  Nothing  is  so  long-lived 
and  inveterate  as  ancestral  memories  and  prejudices.  Before  the 
world  we  are  now  engaged,  as  a  nation,  in  solving  the  problem 
whether  it  is  possible  for  all  the  incongruous  and  antagonistic  na- 
tionalities thrown  upon  our  shores,  exerting  their  mutual  attrac- 
tion and  repulsion,  to  become  fused  in  one  new  American  senti- 


mcnt.  If  the  several  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurch  in  lliis 
eonntry,  representing  to  a  great  degree  ancestral  diilercnt-es, 
should  become  cordially  united,  it  must  have  not  only  a  direct 
effect  u])on  the  question  of  our  national  unity,  but,  reacting  by 
the  force  of  a  successful  example  on  tlie  Old  World,  must  render 
aid  in  that  direction,  to  all  who  are  striving  to  reconsider  and  re- 
adjust those  combinations,  which  had  their  origin  either  in  the 
faults  or  the  necessities  of  a  remote  past.  The  results  of  our  pre- 
sent movement  are  eagerly  observed  by  many,  and  its  success  or 
failure  must  inevitably  affect  other  efforts,  at  home  and  abroad, 
looking  to  the  consolidation  of  other  branches  of  the  Christian 
Church  ;  nor  can  we  doubt  that,  if  any  hindrance  should  frustrate 
the  consummation  of  that  Union  now  contemplated  by  ourselves, 
a  pang  of  grief  and  disappointment  would  be  felt,  not  only  in  our 
own  country,  but  throughout  Protestant  Christendom. 

The  third  of  a  century,  the  life  of  a  whole  generation,  has  in- 
deed wrought  wondrous  changes,  of  the  greatest  promise  for  the 
future.  Another  order  of  things  exists.  Old  causes  of  irritation 
are  removed.  A  new  generation  in  the  ministry  and  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Church  has  arisen,  with  little  sympathy  for  those 
controversies  that  resulted  in  division.  A  new  evangelic  spirit  is 
abroad,  like  the  breath  of  spring,  inviting  to  a  new  style  of  action. 

It  would  have  betrayed  a  criminal  temper,  on  the  part  of  your 
Committee,  had  they  been  indifferent  to  those  events  and  senti- 
ments to  which  they  owe  their  own  appointment,  and  under  the 
influence  of  which  they  addressed  themselves  honestly,  patient- 
ly, and  prayerfully  to  the  duty  assigned  to  them.  The  result  of 
their  deliberation  is  embodied  in  the  following  documejit,  which 
they  now  submit  for  the  consideration  of  the  Assemblies: — 

PROPOSED    TERMS    OF    RETJNIOX    BET-WEEX    THE   TWO  BRANCHES  OF 
THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  A^NIERICA. 

The  Joint  Committee  of  the  two  General  Assemblies  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  on 
the  desirableness  and  practicability  of  uniting  these  two  bodies, 
deeply  impressed  with  the  resjionsibility  of  the  work  assigned  us, 
and  having  eai'uestly  sought  Divine  guidance,  and  patiently  de- 
voted ourselves  to  the  investigation  of  the  questions  involved^ 
agree  in  presenting  the  following  for  the  consideration,  and,  if 
they  see  fit,  for  the  adoption  of  the  two  General  Assemblies. 

Believing  that  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  would 


10 

be  promoted  by  healing  our  divisions  ;  tliat  practical  union  would 
greatly  augment  the  efficiency  of  the  whole  Church  for  the  ac- 
complishment of  its  divinely-appointed  work ;  that  the  main 
causes  producing  division  have  either  Avholly  passed  away,  or  be- 
come so  far  inoperative,  as  that  Reunion  is  now  "  consistent  with 
agreement  in  doctrine,  order,  and  polity,  on  the  basis  of  our  com- 
mon standards,  and  the  prevalence  of  mutual  confidence  and 
love ;"  and  that  tAVO  bodies,  bearing  the  same  name,  adopting  the 
same  Constitution,  and  claiming  the  same  corporate  rights,  can- 
not be  justified  by  any  but  the  most  imperative  reasons  in  main- 
taining separate  and,  in  some  respects,  rival  organizations ;  and 
regarding  it  as  both  just  and  proper,  that  a  Reunion  should  be  ef- 
fected by  the  two  Churches,  as  independent  bodies,  and  on  equal 
terms ;  we  propose  the  following  Terms  and  Recommendations, 
as  suited  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  case : 

1.  The  Retinion  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  and  ecclesias- 
tical basis  of  our  common  standards ;  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  shall  be  acknowledged  to  be  the  ins2:)ired 
Word  of  God,  and  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice  : 
the  Confession  of  Faith  shall  continue  to  be  sincerely  received  and 
adopted,  "  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures  ;"  it  being  understood,  that  this  Confession  is  I'e- 
ceived  in  its  proper,  historical — that  is,  the  Calvinistic  or  Reform- 
ed— sense;  it  is  also  understood,  that  various  methods  of  viewing, 
stating,  explaining,  and  illustrating,  the  doctrines  of  the  Confes- 
sion, which  do  not  impair  the  integrity  of  the  Reformed  or  Cal- 
vinistic system,  are  to  be  freely  allowed  in  the  United  Church,  as 
they  have  hitherto  been  allowed  in  the  separate  Churches  :  and 
the  Government  and  Discipline  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  shall  be  approved  as  containing  the  princii)les  and 
rule  of  our  polity. 

2.  All  the  ministers  and  churches,  embraced  in  the  two  bodies, 
shall  be  admitted  to  the  same  standing  in  the  united  body,  which 
they  may  hold  in  their  respective  connections  up  to  the  consum- 
mation of  the  union;  imperfectly  organized  churches  shall  be 
counseled  and  expected  to  become  thoroughly  Presbyterian,  as 
early,  within  the  period  of  five  yeare,  as  is  permitted  by  the 
highest  interests  to  be  consulted ;  and  no  other  such  churches 
shall  be  hereafter  received. 

3.  The  boundaries  of  the  several  Presbyteries  and  Synods  shall 
be  adjusted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  United  Church. 


11 

4.  Tlie  oflieial  records  of  tlic  two  liranclics  of  tlic  Cliurcli,  for 
the  period  of  separation,  shall  he  preserved  and  held  as  making  up 
the  one  history  of  the  Cluirch ;  and  no  rule  or  precedent,  which 
docs  not  stand  approved  by  both  the  bodies,  shall  be  of  any 
authority,  until  reestablished  in  the  united  body,  except  in  so 
far  as  such  rule  or  precedent  may  affect  tlie  rights  of  property 
founded  thereon. 

5.  The  corporate  rights,  now  held  by  the  two  General  As- 
semblies, and  by  their  Boards  and  Committees,  shall,  as  far  as 
])racticable,  be  consolidated,  and  applied  for  their  several  objects, 
as  defined  by  law. 

6.  There  shall  be  one  set  of  Committees  or  Boards  for  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions,  and  the  other  religious  enterprises  of  the 
Church,  Avhich  the  churches  shall  be  encouraged  to  sustain, 
though  free  to  cast  their  contributions  into  other  channels,  if  they 
desire  to  do  so. 

7.  As  soon  as  practicable  after  the  union  shall  be  effected,  the 
General  Assembly  shall  reconstruct  and  consolidate  the  several 
Permanent  Committees  and  Boards,  which  now  belong  to  the  two 
Assemblies,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  represent,  as  far  as  possible, 
with  impartiality,  the  views  and  Avishes  of  the  two  bodies  consti- 
tuting the  United  Church. 

8.  The  publications  of  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  of  the 
Publication  Committee,  shall  continue  to  be  issued  as  at  present, 
leaving  it  to  the  Board  of  Publication  of  the  United  Chm-ch  to 
revise  these  issues,  and  perfect  a  catalogue  for  the  joint  Church, 
so  as  to  exclude  invidious  references  to  past  controversies. 

9.  In  order  to  a  uniform  system  of  ecclesiastical  supervision, 
those  Theological  Seminaries  that  are  now  under  Assembly  con- 
trol may,  if  their  Boards  of  Direction  so  elect,  be  transferred  to 
the  watch  and  care  of  one  or  more  of  the  adjacent  Synods  ;  and 
the  other  Seminaries  are  advised  to  introduce,  as  far  as  may  be, 
into  their  Constitutions,  the  princii)le  of  Synodical  or  Assembly 
supervision ;  in  which  case,  they  shall  be  entitled  to  an  official 
recognition  and  approbation  on  the  part  of  the  General  As- 
sembly. 

10.  It  is  agreed,  that  the  Presbyteries  possess  the  right  to  ex- 
amine ministers  applying  for  admission  from  other  Presbyteries  ; 
but  each  Presbytery  shall  be  left  free  to  decide  for  itself  when  it 
shall  exercise  the  right. 

11.  It  shall  be  regarded  as  the  duty  of  all  our  judicatories, 


12 

ministers,  and  people  in  the  United  Church,  to  study  the  things 
which  make  for  peace,  and  to  guard  against  all  needless  and  of- 
fensive references  to  the  causes  that  have  divided  us;  and,  in 
oi-.der  to  avoid  the  revival  of  past  issues,  by  the  continuance  of  any 
usage  in  either  Branch  of  the  Church  that  has  grown  out  of  our 
former  conflicts,  it  is  earnestly  recommended  to  the  lower  judica- 
tories of  the  Church,  that  they  conform  their  2)ractice  in  relation 
to  all  such  usages,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with  their  convictions  of 
duty,  to  the  general  custom  of  the  Church  prior  to  the  controver- 
sies that  resulted  in  the  separation. 

12.  The  Terms  of  the  Reiinion,  if  they  are  approved  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assemblies  of  1868,  shall  be  overtured  to  the  several  Presby- 
teries under  their  care,  and  shall  be  of  binding  force,  if  they  are 
ratified  by  three  fourths  of  the  Presbyteries  connected  with  each 
Branch  of  the  Church,  within  one  year  after  they  shall  have  been 
submitted  to  them  for  approval. 

13.  If  the  two  General  Assemblies  of  1869  shall  find,  that  the 
Plan  of  Reilnion  has  been  ratified  by  the  requisite  number  of 
Presbyteries  in  each  body,  they  shall,  after  the  conclusion  of  all 
their  business,  be  dissolved  by  their  respective  Moderators,  in  the 
manner  and  form  following,  viz. : — Each  Moderator  shall  address 
the  Assembly  over  which  he  presides,  saying,  "  By  virtue  of  the 
authority  delegated  to  me  by  the  Church,  and  in  conforniity  with 
the  Plan  of  Union  adopted  by  the  two  Presbyterian  Churches,  let 
this  Assembly  be  dissolved ;  and  I  do  hereby  dissolve  it,  and  re- 
quire a  General  Assembly,  chosen  in  the  same  manner,  by  all  the 
Presbyteries  in  connection  with  this  body,  and  all  those  in  con- 
nection with  the  General  Assembly  meeting  this  year  in , 

to  meet  in ,  on  the day  of  May,  ad.  18*70  ;  and 

I  do  hei-eby  declare  and  proclaim,  that  the  General  Assembly  thus 
constituted  will  be  the  rightful  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  now,  hj  the  grace 
of  God,  happily  united." 

Signed,  by  order  of  the  Joint  Committee, 

CiiAKLES  C.  Beatty,  Chairman. 
Edwins'  F.  Hatfield,  Secretary. 

Philadelphia,  March  14,  a.d.  1868. 

It  will  be  observed  that  the  Committee  have  agreed  upon  a 
few  modifications  of  the  Basis  of  Union,  reported  in  May,  1867  ; 
this,   not    so    much  from  any  change  of   opinion  on  their  own 


13 

l)art,  ns  wltli  a  view,  if  possible,  of  ])reveiiting  or  corrcctiiij^  mls- 
appreliension,  and  to  meet,  more  i'ully,  tlie  views  and  wislies  of 
the  bodies  whicli  tliey  represent. 

In  reference  to  the  i^<!>s«  Article,  containing  the  doctrinal  basis, 
the  language  employed  is  so  explicit,  that  the  Committee  believe 
it  will  prove  satisfactory  to  all  who  desire  union  on  the  terms  of 
Christian  confidence  and  honor.  First  of  all,  following  the  order 
of  the  "  Constitutional  Questions  "  proposed  by  our  Form  of  Go- 
vernment to  all  who  are  ordained  to  the  Ministry  and  Eldership  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  we  assert  the  great  Protestant  princi- 
ple— the  sole  supremacy  and  undivided  authority  of  the  AVord  of 
God,  in  all  matters  of  fjiith  and  practice :  assigning  to  this  the 
foremost  place  above  Church,  Creed,  Confession,  School,  and 
System. 

Magnifying  the  Inspired  Scriptures,  we  next  adopt,  indorse, 
and  honor,  our  common  Confession,  as  "  containing  the  system  of 
doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scriptures."  So  far  as  they  were 
concerned  themselves,  the  Committee  woidd  have  been  content 
to  rest  in  this  prescribed  form  of  words,  as  received  and  used  by 
Christian  Brethren.  Unhappily,  misapprehension,  prejudices,  and 
distrust  are  engendered  by  divisions,  to  obviate  which  the  Com- 
mittee have  endeavored  to  modify  the  language  of  their  former 
report,  thought  by  some  to  be  ambiguous,  so  as  to  make  it  pre- 
cise, Avithout  surmising  or  exaggerating  differences  of  opinion. 

In  their  judgment,  the  line  of  distinction  between  the  tv^o 
Assemblies,  as  now  drawn,  does  not  consist,  as  some  have  supposed, 
merely  in  theological  diversities.  The  same  Confession  is  adopt- 
ed by  all.  It  is  adopted  in  the  same  terms  as  containing  the 
same  system.  To  make  this  agreement  the  more  determinate, 
the  Committee  have  given  this  system  its  historic  name.  At  the 
same  time  that  we  mutually  interchange  these  guarantees  for 
orthodoxy,  we  mutually  interchange  guarantees  for  Christian 
liberty.  Difierences  always  have  existed  and  been  allowed  in 
the  Presbyterian  Churches  in  Europe  and  America,  as  to  modes  of 
explaining  and  theorizing  within  the  metes  and  bounds  of  the  one 
accepted  system.  What  exists  in  fact  we  have  undertaken  to 
express  in  words.  To  put  into  exact  formulas  ichat  opinions 
should  be  allowed  and  Avhat  interdicted,  would  be  to  write  a  new 
Confession  of  Faith.  This  neither  Branch  of  the  Church  desires. 
Your  Committee  have  assumed  no  such  work  of  supererogation. 
Neither   have  they  made  compromises   or    concessions.     They 


14 

append  no  codicil  to  the  old  Symbols.  They  have  asserted,  as 
being  essential  to  all  true  unity,  the  necessity  of  adopting  the 
same  Confession  and  the  same  System,  with  the  recognition  of 
liberty  on  either  hand,  for  such  diflerences  as  do  not  impair  the 
integrity  of  the  system  itself;  which  is  all  the  liberty  that  any 
branch  of  the  great  Calvinistic  family  of  Churches  has  ever  claimed 
or  desired.  Your  Committee  cannot  see  how  it  was  possible  for 
them  to  employ  language  more  precise  and  guarded,  unless  they 
were  prepared  to  substitute  "private  interpretations"  for  the 
recognized  standards  of  the  Church.  To  go  further  in  either 
direction  than  they  have  done  would  certainly  lead  to  useless  and 
endless  "  strifes  of  words."  Language  somewhere  must  find  a  limit. 
It  Avould  be  impossible  so  to  frame  exj^ressions  on  this  subject, 
that  those  who  are  opposed  to  reunion  may  not  find  occasion  to 
cavil  and  object.  But  the  Committee  hope  and  trust  that  the 
Article  now  reported  will  commend  itself  to  all  fair-minded  men, 
as  containing  what  is  precise,  yet  not  exclusive  ;  definite,  yet  not 
rigid;  specific,  yet  not  inflexible;  liberal,  without  laxity ;  catholic, 
without  latitudinarianism.  If  exact  uniformity  in  all  shades  of 
opinion,  in  technical  adjustments,  in  philosoiDhic  theories,  be 
regarded  as  essential  to  union,  we  should  earnestly  recommend  the 
indefinite  adjournment  of  the  present  movement.  Nor  would 
consistency  alloAV  us  to  rest  hei'e ;  our  present  organizations 
should  be  dissolved  and  exchanged  for  disintegration  and  indivi- 
dualism. 

I^othing  need  be  said  in  vindication  of  the  Second  Article,  to 
those  who  are  fully  informed  concerning  the  churches  referred  to 
therein.  Your  Committee  had  to  deal,  not  with  abstractions,  but 
with  facts  and  realities.  The  churches  here  described  originated 
in  a  policy  which  was  itself  inaugurated  by  a  remote  necessity ; 
their  number  is  limited,  and  cannot  be  increased ;  the  terms  of 
their  relationship  are  prescribed  and  limited  also  ;  their  Presbyte- 
rian relationship  is  at  present  cordial,  happy,  and  eminently  use- 
ful ;  and  some  of  them  are  deemed,  by  the  Presbyteries  with 
Avhich  they  are  connected,  as  among  their  most  efficient  and  ex- 
cellent churches.  As  nothing  is  intended  by  our  action  to 
disturb  the  present  relations  of  these  churches,  so  nothing  is 
designed  to  be  done,  at  any  time,  which  can  be  regarded  as  in- 
consistent with  good  faith  and  honor ;  but  such  statements  were 
made  by  those  members  of  the  Joint  Committee  more  immediately 
representing  the  sections  of  country  in  which  these  churches  exist. 


15 

as  leil  tlic  Committee  to  believe,  tliat  tlie  friendly  counsel  con- 
tained in  this  Article  would  prove  not  unacceptable  to  these 
churches  themselves,  and  that  the  specification  of  a  definite  time 
might  be  an  aid  to  them  in  perfecting  that  organization  Avhich  is 
now  suggested  by  Christian  expediency. 

The  several  Articles,  which  contemplate  the  combination  and 
readjustment  of  the  respective  Boards  and  Committees  of  the 
two  Assemblies,  look  only  to  economy  and  increased  efficiency. 

The  recommendation  contained  in  the  Eighth  Article  calls  for 
the  briefest  explanation,  as  it  is  believed  that  it  Avill  prove  more 
satisfactory  than  the  former  Article,  to  which  various  objections 
were  made.  No  disposition  was  manifest  in  the  Committee  to 
press  invidious  distinctions  and  preferences.  Neitlier  Publishing 
Committee  is  to  supersede  or  indorse  the  other.  Both,  earnestly 
engaged  at  present  in  publishing  Avhat  is  received  by  the  churches 
at  large  as  valuable  literature  in  theology  and  practical  religion, 
are  advised  to  continue  as  now  organized,  till  such  a  new  Board 
or  Committee  shall  be  appointed  in  the  United  Church,  as,  it  may 
be  supposed,  would  be  prompted  by  every  instinct  of  Christian 
jiropriety  to  omit  painful  and  invidious  references  to  past  strifes, 
leaving  undisturbed  what  is  now,  and  ever  must  be,  highly  prized 
by  all  our  ministers  and  churches. 

As  to  the  action  of  the  Committee  concerning  Theological 
Seminaries,  as  embodied  in  Article  Ninth  of  their  report,  all 
difficulty  springs  from  the  obvious  fict,  that  there  is  no  authority 
which  is  competent  to  forbid  the  endowment  of  Seminaries  at  any 
time  by  any  individuals  in  our  connection.  Those  Theological 
Seminaries,  Avhich  are  now  independent  of  ecclesiastical  control, 
were  founded  before  the  disruption^  and  endowed  by  men  repre- 
senting alike  what  are  now  known  as  Old  and  New  School 
Churches.  What  was  done  then  may  be  repeated  again.  A 
recommendation^  looking  to  some  uniformity  of  ecclesiastical 
supervision,  is  all  which  the  Committee  felt  to  be  Avithin  their 
province  or  that  of  the  Assembly  ;  except  that  those  Seminaries, 
now  belonging  to  either  branch  of  the  Church,  should  have  every 
guarantee  and  protection  for  their  chartered  rights  which  they 
might  desire. 

A  new  Article,  here  designated  as  the  Tenth^  has  been  intro- 
duced, in  which  some  concession  has  been  made  on  both  sides, 
designed  to  reconcile  conflicting  claims  and  usages.  Many 
churches  and  Presbyteries,  in  both  Assemblies,  claim  the  right, 


16 

as  now  expressed  in  formal  vote,  of  pronouncing  npon  tlie  expe- 
diency of  admitting,  to  their  own  membership,  those  who  bear 
testimonials  from  correlative  bodies.  One  Assembly  now  makes 
this  obligatory  npon  all  the  Presbyteries.  The  Committee  recom- 
mend the  recognition  of  the  right,  and  the  abolition  of  the  im- 
perative rule.  As  all  difficulties  springing  from  this  cause  liad 
their  origin  in  times  of  suspicion  and  distrust  which,  it  is  hoped, 
are  passing  away,  it  is  believed  that  the  whole  matter  may 
safely  be  left  to  adjust  itself  in  a  new  era  of  confidence  and 
harmony.  In  this  connection,  however,  the  Committee  would 
particiilarly  refer  to  the  next  (Article  No.  11),  which  emphasizes 
the  duty  of  all  our  judicatories  to  study  the  things  which  make 
for  peace,  and  earnestly  recommends  to  the  Presbyteries  to  con- 
form to  earlier  and  more  ancient  usages.  The  examination  of  min- 
isters passing  from  one  Presbytery  to  another  is  altogether  un- 
known to  the  Presbyterian  Churches  of  Scotland  and  Ireland  ;  nor 
was  it  originally  practised  in  our  own.  The  extent  of  terri- 
tory covered  by  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  tlie  United  States 
may  have  been  one  reason  for  another  method,  in  later  years,  in 
our  own  country ;  but,  inasmuch  as  the  right  and  usage  asserted 
and  defended  by  some,  and  denied  and  discarded  by  others,  were 
related  to  controversies  which  are  past,  the  Committee  are  confi- 
dent that  practical  difficulties,  from  this  quarter,  will  be  obviated 
by  the  adoption  of  their  entire  action  in  the  premises.  Amid  the 
diversified  practices  which  now  prevail  as  to  this  subject  in  both 
branches  of  the  Church,  this  recommendation  of  the  Committee 
was  designed  to  allay,  and  not  to  promote  distrust  and  suspicion. 
That  some  changes  must  be  made  in  the  present  method  and 
ratio  of  representation  is  apparent  from  the  size  of  the  two 
Assemblies.  Difierences  of  opinion  also  have  long  existed  in 
both  branches,  as  to  the  powers  and  prerogatives  of  the  General 
Assembly,  as  now  exercised.  Many  are  jealous  and  apprehensive 
lest  these  may  transcend  the  limits  of  expediency  and  Constitu- 
tional Law.  Whether  the  proposed  reiinion  would  create  the 
necessity  of  enlarging  the  authority  of  the  local  Synods  and  mo- 
difying somewhat  the  power  and  province  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, is  a  subject  upon  which,  as  not  having  been  referred  to  them, 
the  Committees  have  not  felt  at  liberty  to  make  suggestions  or 
to  take  action,  beyond  that  of  commending  it  to  the  attention 
of  the  two  Assemblies,  wliicli  they  do  in  the  following  terms, 
to  wit : — 


17 

"The  Joint  Committee  recommend  tliat  eacli  of  tlie  two  Gene- 
ral Assemblies  of  1808  appoint  a  Committee  of  live,  to  constitute 
a  Joint  Committee  of  ten,  Avliose  duty  shall  be  to  prepare  and 
propose  to  tlie  first  General  Assembly  of  the  United  Churcli  a 
proper  adjustment  of  the  boundaries  of  Presbyteries  and  Synods, 

"This  Committee  shall  also  recommend  to  the  General  Assembly 
any  amendments  of  the  Constitution,  "which  they  may  think  neces- 
sary to  secure  efficiency  and  harmony  in  the  administration  of  a 
Churcli  so  greatly  enlarged  and  so  rapidly  extending." 

Thus  have  the  Committee  discharged  the  duty  with  which  they 
Avere  intrusted.  Having  acted  to  the  best  of  their  ability,  ac- 
cording to  all  the  wisdom  they  could  command,  their  responsi- 
bility ceases.  The  grave  necessity  of  decisive  action  is  now  de- 
volved on  tlie  respective  Assemblies  and  Presbyteries  of  the 
Church",  That  this  responsibility  transcends  what  ordinarily  oc- 
curs in  the  life  of  men,  no  one  will  question. 

The  Union  contemplated  in  this  report  is  one  based  on  "  mutual 
confidence  and  love,"  The  Committees  are  aware  that  they  have 
personally  enjoyed  peculiar  opportunities,  in  the  way  of  intimate 
fraternal  intercourse,  for  the  cultivation  and  expression  of  these 
Christian  sentiments.  Whatever  diiferences  may  exist  among 
themselves  on  subordinate  matters,  they  have  come  to  rest  in 
mutual  confid'ence  concerning  that  which  is  of  paramount  import- 
ance. If  the  same  sentiment  prevails  througliout  the  whole 
Church,  organic  Union  cannot  be  prevented  ;  if  it  should  prove 
to  be  wanting,  no  technical  formulas,  no  cautious  definitions,  no 
well-guarded  conditions,  can  produce  union  of  any  value  or  per- 
manence. There  is  a  so-called  unity,  which  is  like  the  freezing- 
together  into  one  solid  mass  of  all  incongruous  and  heterogeneous 
substances.  Such  icy  compression  is  undesirable.  There  is 
another  unity,  which  the  Holy  Ghost  has  compared  to  tlie  living 
"body  fitly  joined  together,  and  compacted  by  that  whicli  every 
joint  supplieth,  according  to  the  effectual  Avorking  in  the  measure 
of  every  part,"  making  "  increase  of  the  body  unto  the  edifying 
of  itself  in  love.''''  Such  is  the  Divine  model  of  ecclesiastical  Union, 
combining  divei-sity  and  harmonj^  liberty  and  love,  and  the  whole 
instinct  with  life,  and  predestined  to  growth  and  perfection.  Love 
demands  few  conditions,  and  confidence  builds  on  something  bet- 
ter than  verbal  guaranteed;  Your  Committee  have  never  expect- 
ed to  reconcile  all  local  interests,  all  private  j^references,  all  per- 
sonal memories  and  prejudices.    Content  are  they,  if  the  Articles 


18 

of  Agreement,  herewitli  reported  and  recommended,  approve 
themselves  to  the  thoughtful  and  judicious  in  both  Branches  of 
the  Church,  as  suited  to  promote,  not  tlie  advantage  of  any  school 
or  sect,  but  the  healthful  vigor  of  the  entire  Church,  the  pros- 
perity of  the  whole  country,  the  honor  of  our  adorable  Lord. 

We  make  no  computation  of  majorities  and  minorities,  in  the 
United  Church,  as  related  to  past  distinctions.  We  recognize  no 
such  idea  as  one  body  absorbing  the  other ;  our  whole  action  is 
based  on  the  principle  of  two  bodies,  now  independent  and  equal, 
becoming  assimilated  and  fused  together  in  cordial  "  agreement 
as  to  doctrine,  order,  and  polity,  on  the  basis  of  our  common 
standards,  and  the  prevalence  of  mutual  confidence  and  love."  In 
such  a  sublime  act,  something  must  be  trusted  to  the  power  of 
Christian  sentiment ;  something  left  to  be  accomplished  by  faith 
in  one  another,  as  well  as  in  our  common  Lord.  Signs  are  visible 
in  every  quarter  of  increased  confidence  among  Christian  churches 
and  ministers,  long  separated  by  ecclesiastical  differences,  now 
yearning  for  more  of  miity.  As  well  might  we  deny  the  return 
of  sprang  and  the  putting  forth  of  buds  and  the  tender  grass,  as 
question  this  obvious  fact.  Do  not  events  indicate  a  Divine 
Leadership  which  it  is  our  wisdom  to  observe  and  obey  ?  Results 
have  already  been  reached,  under  Pentecostal  effusions  of  the 
Sjiirit  from  on  high,  sui'passing  the  most  sanguine  expectations, 
rebuking  unbelief,  dissolving  prejudice,  and  betokening  greater 
things  to  come.  Some  things  must  be  referred  to  tlie  past.  If 
we  face  the  sun,  our  shadows  are  behind  us.  "Let  the  dead  bury 
their  dead."  It  is  our  Lord  himself  who  teaches  us,  that  all  which 
is  personal  and  private  should  be  held  subordinate  to  the  claims 
and  affinities  of  his  kingdom.  What  was  tolerated  once  may 
not  be  justified  now.  The  future  cheers  and  animates  us  with 
brightest  prospects.  The  voice  of  the  Son  of  God  rebukes  the 
weakness  and  wickedness  of  schism,  and  enjoins  the  unity  of 
faith  and  love.  Hope  anticipates  the  time  when,  every  dissension 
healed  and  forgotten  by  Christian  charity,  all  Branches  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  all  sections  of  our  common  country, 
holding  the  same  Standards,  shall  be  drawn  together  by  patriotic 
and  evangelical  sympathies  in  cordial  and  indissoluble  union 
Glorious  things  are  promised  to  the  Church,  "  in  the  day  that  the 
Lord  bindeth  up  the  breach  of  his  people  and  healeth  the  stroke 
of  their  wound." 

Surely  it  Avill  be  for  good  and  not  evil,  for  joy  and  not  sorrow, 


10 

for  strciigtli  and  not  'weakness,  if  licncefortli  our  rule  shall  lie 
"  One  body  and  one  spirit,  even  as  "  Ave  "  are  called  in  one  hope 
of"  our  "  calling.  One  Lord,  one  ftxith,  o«e  baptism,  one  God  and 
Father  of  all,  -who  is  above  all  and  through  all  and  in  "  us  "  all." 
"NoAvunto  Ilim  that  is  able  to  do  exceeding  abundantly  above 
all  that  Ave  ask  or  think,  according  to  the  poAver  that  Avorketh  in 
ns,  unto  Ilini  be  glory  in  the  Church  by  Christ  Jesus  throughout 
all  ages,  Avorld  Avithout  end.     Amen." 

Signed,  by  order  of  the  Committee, 

William  Adams,  Chairman. 
May  20,  18G8. 

The  report  of  the  Special  Committee  of  Xine,  to  Avhom  the 
above  report  Avas  referred,  is  as  folloAvs : — 

The  Committee  to  A\'hom  A\^as  referred  the  Report  of  the  Gen- 
eral Committee  on  Reunion,  respectfully  make  their  report : — 

This  Report  of  the  General  Committee  of  this  Assembly  con- 
tains the  "Terms  and  Recommendations"  for  Reunion,  as  the 
Report  of  the  Joint  Committee  of  both  Assemblies,  and  wdiich 
"  Terms  and  Recommendations  "  have  manifestly  been  most  care- 
fully prepared,  are  clear  in  statement,  comprehensive  of  the  Avhole 
subject  of  Reiiuion,  and  present  a  j^lain  and  intelligible  basis  on 
Avhich  the  divided  portions  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
TJnited  States  may  again  stand  together.  Summarily,  the  basis 
is  as  follows:  The  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments; 
the  Confession  of  Faith  as  a  System  of  Doctrine,  and  this  to  be 
received  in  the  Reformed  or  Calviuistic  sense  ;  and  the  alloAvance 
of  philosophical  Aaews  and  explanatory  statements  in  the  United 
Church  Avhich  do  not  impair  the  integrity  of  the  Calvinistic  sys- 
tem. To  these  particulars,  as  the  substance  of  the  basis,  other 
"  Terms  and  Recommendations  "  are  giA'en,  Avhich  may  be  consider- 
ed as  complementary  to  the  former ;  and  on  this  ground  it  is  pro- 
posed that  the  two  bodies  again  become  permanently  one. 

To  these  "  Terms  and  Recommendations,"  the  Report  of  the 
General  Committee  of  this  Assembly  appends,  as  preflxtory,  such 
historic  and  explanatory  statements  "  as  may  serve  to  convey  to 
others  the  f:icts  and  motives  Avhich  proved  of  such  Aveight  to 
themselves ;"  and  also,  as  supplementary,  a  very  clear  and  full 
comment  on  the  body  of  the  "Terras  and  Recommendations" 
contained  in  the  Joint  Committee's  Report.     The  General  Com- 


20 

mittee  of  the  other  Assembl}^  append  also,  in  tlieir  report  to  that 
bod}'',  the  same  comments  and  statements  to  these  same  joint 
"  Terms  and  Recommendations,"  Tliese  appended  statements 
and  comments,  it  is  nnderstood,  have  been  personally  signed  or 
expressly  assented  to  by  nearly  all  the  members  of  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee. This  is  deemed  to  be  a  very  valuable  and  important  part 
of  the  Report  which  has  been  put  into  our  hands,  constituting  an 
official  and  authoritative  exposition  of  the  meaning  of  the  "  Terms 
and  Recommendations,"  and  which  exposition  is  given  as  clearly 
and  conclusively  as  language  can  be  used  to  explain  language.  It 
must  preclude  the  practicability  of  any  judicial  application  of  the 
"  Terms  and  Recommen^tions  "  beyond  the  meaning  here  affix- 
ed to  them  by  the  authors  themselves.  Though  not  the  covenant 
itself  of  Reunion,  it  is  a  direct  official  interpretation  of  it,  and 
such  that  any  attempt  to  over-ride  it  would  be  repelled  by  all 
the  force  of  virtuous  Christian  indignation  through  the  religious 
world. 

While  the  basis  of  Reunion,  given  in  these  "  Terms  and  Recom- 
mendations," may  hopefully  be  expected  to  be  found  acceptable 
and  even  satisfactory  to  most  of  the  members  of  both  Branches 
of  the  Church,  it  has  already  become  manifest  that  it  is  not  ac- 
cejjtable  to  all.  Difficulties  and  objections,  of  probably  opposite 
bearings,  will  be  found  in  the  different  divisions  of  the  Church ; 
but  it  is  of  importance  here  to  us,  that  we  recognize  only  such  as 
it  may  be  apprehended  will  be  felt  and  urged  in  our  own  body. 
Among  the  most  prominent  will  be,  doubtless,  found  a  measure  of 
hesitation  avKl  difficulty  from  objections  somewhat  in  the  follow- 
ing form : — 

^'  Various  methods  of  viewing,  stating,  explaining,  and  illustrat- 
ang  the  doctrines  of  the  '  Confession  of  Faith '  are  to  be  freely 
allowed  m  the  United  Church  as  they  have  hitherto  been  allowed 
in  the  separate  Churches,"  only  they  must  "not  impair  the  integ- 
rity «of  the  Calvinistic  system."  And  now,  who  shall  decide  whe- 
ther tlie  views  do  impair  the  integrity  of  the  system  ?  If  there 
be  a  strenuous  and  rigid  umpire,  such  will  doubtless  be  found  in- 
tolerant of  opinions  and  interpretations  contrary  to  its  own.  A 
mind  cautious  and  jealous  of  all  encroachment  on  religious  liber- 
ty will  doubt,  and  in  proportion  to  his  fears  he  will  hesitate  or 
object.  '      W 

BiiVt  is  the  danger  here  really  formidable  ?  .Vdmit  the  majority 
of  the  ^ecclesiastical  body  must  decide ;  but,  in  the  way  the  nieni- 


21 

l)cvs  of  our  Presbyteries  now  ^\^l\\  liave  tlieir  standing  in  tliG 
United  Church  llien,  Avill  they  be  unsafe  and  exposed  to  oppres- 
sion ?  Aside  from  the  manifest  liberality,  and  confidence,  and 
love,  which  there  must  be  in  the  members  of  the  opposite  Branch 
before  three  quarters  of  its  Presbyteries  shall  vote  lis  together, 
there  arc  these  quite  impregnable  safeguards.  Tlie  man  Avhose 
sentiments  do  not  violate  the  Calvinistic  system  cannot  be  hurt. 
And  if  the  fear  still  is  that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  judicatory,  the 
sentiment  may  be  in  violation  of  the  integrity  of  the  Calvinistic 
system,  and  that  this  opinion  of  the  judicatory  must  rule,  the  an- 
swer at  once  is,  not  the  judicatory  on  its  own  opinion,  but  the  ju- 
dicatory as  convinced  that  the  opposite  Branch  of  the  Church  has 
allowed  or  not  allowed  the  sentiment  to  be  in  consonance  with  the 
Calvinistic  system.  If  the  man  is  not  out  of  the  pale  of  his  for- 
mer chnrch's  oi'thodoxy,  he  cannot  be  in  danger  from  any  eccle- 
siastical court's  rigidity  or  bigotry. 

Danger  from  this  cannot  be  further  pressed  without  directly 
questioning  the  candor  and  honesty  of  the  judicator}^,  and  then 
Ave  are  at  once  beyond  all  Christian  redress  or  regulation. 

Another  difficulty  is  with  the  churches  that  have  their  standing 
on  the  Plan  of  Union.  They  are  to  stand  in  the  United  Body 
as  they  now  stand  in  the  New  School  Body.  They  are,  how- 
ever, to  be  counseled,  and  expected  to  become  thoroughly  Pres- 
byterian. So  far  there  is  no  apprehension  of  complaint.  But 
they  are  to  be  counseled  and  expected  to  do  this  "  as  earl)',  with- 
in the  period  of  five  years,  as  is  permitted  by  the  highest  inte- 
rests to  be  consulted ;"  and  in  this  there  is  fear  of  injury.  "Why 
specify  five  years  ?  The  inference  prompted  by  the  fear  is,  that 
such  churches,  remaining  after  the  five  years'  counseling,  are  to 
be  excluded.  Biit  such  inference  is  wholly  gratuitous.  The  five 
years  is  put  to  give  earnestness  to  the  counsel  and  definiteness  to 
the  expectation.  Counsel  to  become  thoroughly  Presbyterian, 
and  expectation  that  it  will  so  be  at  a  period  running  beyond  five 
years,  would  be  weakness.  If  this  cannot  be  gained  within  that 
time,  both  counsel  and  expectation  may  there  cease.  This  is  as 
long  as  self-respect  in  the  counselor  Avill  allow  of  his  working 
and  Avaiting. 

But  Avhat  if  all  this  fiiils,  and  some  of  these  churches  stand  still 
on  the  old  Plan  of  Union '?  The  answer  is,  that  though  the  invio- 
lable agreement  still  allows  them  the  same  standing  in  the  United 
Body,  yet  that  no  more  such  churches  are  to  be  organized,  and 


.these  few  will  not  greatly  trouble  us,  nor  will  they  probably  long 
desire  to  maintain  their  partial  connection  Avith  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

One  other  source  of  apprehended  difficulty  only  need  now  be 
mentioned.  It  is  in  the  expressed  agreement  "  that  the  Presby- 
teries possess  the  right  to  examine  Ministers  applying  for  admis- 
sion from"  another  Presbytery,  The  position  from  Avhich  the 
objection  comes  is  tliat  the  Presbyterian  Church  is  a  confederate 
body,  and  the  confederacy  is  a  unit,  and  membership  in  one  place, 
with  fair  j^aper  of  transfer,  confers  the  right  of  membership  in  all 
places  in  the  confederacy.  This  is  doubtless  safe  practice  and 
principle  in  all  ordinary  cases.  But  extremities  become  often  ne- 
cessities. 

And  now,  suppose  we  take  this  doctrine  of  previous  examina- 
tion in  cases  of  last  extremities,  or  even  suppose  it  to  be  held  as 
very  commonly  allowable,  what  danger  of  oppression  is  there  ? 
Let  the  examination  be  as  common  or  as  rigid  as  it  may,  the  ju- 
dicatory can  do  nothing  against  the  man  who  is  still  within  the 
pale  of  orthodoxy,  according  to  the  allowance  of  the  old  body 
with  which  he  is  in  sympathy.  The  United  Church  is  to  fellow- 
ship the  orthodoxy  of  both  the  present  Churches. 

Considerations  like  these  indixce  your  Committee  to  the  con- 
viction that,  if  the  "Terms  and  Recommendations"  are  not  all 
that  one  would  wish,  and  even  in  some  things  are  what  one  would 
wish  they  were  not,  yet,  at  the  worst,  they  are  not  open  to  an 
oppressive  or  a  dangerous  use.  There  is  a  defence  erected  over 
which  nothing  but  dishonesty  can  come  to  work  us  harm.  The 
blessing  of  union,  so  accomplished,  need  not  be  feared  as  if  about 
to  be  counterbalanced  by  coming  injuries. 

But,  on  the  other  hand,  your  Committee  are  convinced  that 
there  is  not  only  danger  of  losing  the  possibility  of  Reunion,  but 
of  incurring  very  liazardous  and  perhaps  ruinous  results  if  the 
action  be  longer  delayed.  Should  modifications  be  proposed,  or 
conditions  and  new  explanations  be  voted  by  ourselves,  besides 
the  certain  distrust  and  jealousy  promoted,  there  Avill  inevitably 
be  the  meeting  of  this  by  counter-modifications,  conditions,  and 
explanations,  and  Ave  shall  run  at  once  into  the  temper  and  spirit 
of  theological  controversy.  The  heart  of  brotherly  unity  Avill  be 
Avounded,  alienated,  and  abandoned  by  both  sides. 

Should  Ave  determine  to  postpone  action  till  another  year,  many 
of  the  churches  Avill  not  delay.     They  Avill  come  together  desul- 


23 

torily  and  more  or  less  disorderly.  Others  avjU  seek  other  eonnec- 
tions,  and  confusion  and  disintegration  Avill  in  wide  regions  en- 
sue. The  conviction  of  the  importance  of  Reunion  and  tlic  hope 
of  its  possession  liave  been  stricken  too  deeply  into  the  heart  of 
the  churches  to  be  now  checked  in  safety.  Even  with  much 
doubt  of  the  Avisdom  of  some  of  the  "Terms  and  Recommenda- 
tions," your  Committee  deem  it  best  that  the  matter  go  down  to 
the  Presbyteries  for  their  decision.  Divisions  and  alienations 
among  ourselves  will  be  best  precluded  by  letting  the  grand 
issue  be  at  once  decided. 

It  is,  therefore, 

Jicsolved,  That  this  Committee  recommend  to  the  General  As- 
sembly the  approval  of  the  proposed  terms  of  Reiinion  as  given 
on  pages  8,  9,  and  10  of  the  Report,  and  also  the  article  on 
page  14,  with  the  accompanying  interpretations  and  explana- 
tions of  the  Joint  Committee,  and  that  the  same  be  sent  down  as 
an  Overture  to  our  Presbyteries. 

Tlie  Permanent  Clerk  was  directed  to  communicate  the  action 
of  the  Assembly  ujjon  the  Joint  Committee's  Report  on  Re- 
union to  the  General  Assembly  in  session  at  Albany,  X.  Y. 

SATURDAY,  IMay  SOtli,  18G8. 
The  Rev.  Henry  A.  Nelson,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  J.  Glentworth  But- 
ler, D.D.,  and  the  lion.  William  E.  Dodge  were   appointed  a 
Committee  to  nominate  the  Committee  of  Five  referred  to  on 
page  14  of  the  Report  of  the  Joint  Committee  on  Reilnion. 

MONDAY,  June  1st,  1868. 

Jiesolved,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  our  several  Presbyteries  be 
instructed  to  call  the  attention  of  their  respective  Presbyteries  to 
the  Assembly's  Overture  on  Reunion,  and  to  report  the  result  of 
their  action,  in  due  season,  to  the  Stated  Clerk  of  the  General 
Assembly. 

Hesolved,  That  the  report  of  the  Joint  Committee  on  Retinion, 
and  the  report  thereupon  of  the  Special  Committee  of  this  Assem- 
bly, and  any  other  action  of  this  Assembly  pertaining  tlicreto,  be 
printed,  and  sent  to  all  our  Presbyteries,  under  direction  of  the 
Stated  Clerk. 

The  Rev.  Charles  C.  Beatty,  D.D.,  LL.D.,the  Rev.  Villeroy  D. 
Reed,  D.D.,  and  Elders  Robert  Carter  and  Henry  Day  addressed 
the  Assemljly,  presenting,  in  behalf  of  their  Assembly,  a  proposi- 
tion to  modify  the  approved  Basis  of  Reiinion,  as  follows  : — 


24: 

"  The  following  paper  was  adopted  by  the  General  Assemblj-  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  now  in  session  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  on 
this  30th  day  of  May,  A.D.  18G8  :— 

While  the  Assembly  has  approved  of  the  report  of  the  Joint 
Committee  on  Reunion,  it  expresses  its  preference  for  a  change  in 
the  first  item  in  the  Basis,  leaving  out  the  following  words,  namely  : 
'  It  being  understood  that  the  Confession  is  received  in  its  his- 
torical— that  is,  the  Calvinistic  or  Reformed  sense.  It  is  also 
understood  that  various  methods  of  viewing,  stating,  explaining, 
and  illustrating  the  doctrines  of  the  Confession,  which  do  not  im- 
pair the  integrity  of  the  Reformed  or  Calvinistic  system,  are  to 
be  freely  allowed  in  the  United  Church,  as  they  have  hitherto 
been  allowed  in  the  separate  Churches,'  The  Assembly  believes, 
that  by  omitting  these  clauses  the  Basis  will  be  more  simple  and 
more  expressive  of  mutual  confidence ;  and  the  Permanent  Clerk 
is  directed  to  telegraph  this  proposed  amendment  to  the  Assem- 
bly at  Harrisburgh,  and,  if  that  Assembly  shall  concur  in  the 
amendment,  it  shall  become  of  efliect,  as  the  action  of  this  Assem- 
bly also. 

The  Assembly  also  appoints  the  Rev.  C.  C.  Beatty,  D.D.,  the 
Rev.  Villeroy  D.  Reed,  D.D.,  and  Ruling  Elders  Robert  Carter 
and  Henry  Day,  a  Committee  to  proceed  to  Harrisburgh,  and  per- 
sonally to  lay  this  action  before  the  other  Assembly. 

(A  true  copy.) 

W.  E.  SCHENCK, 

Permanent  Ckrhy 

The  Rev.  Henry  B.  Smith,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  the  Rev.  Robert  W. 
Patterson,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  LL.D., 
with  the  Elders  Hon.  William  E.  Dodge  and  Mr.  Edward  Miller, 
were  appointed  to  confer  with  the  Delegation  from  the  other 
General  Assembly,  and  to  recommend  to  this  Assembly  such  ac- 
tion as  they  deem  suitable  in  the  case. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  LL.D,  the  Rev.  Robert  W. 
Patterson,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  D.D.,  the  Rev.  Jo- 
seph F.  Tuttle,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  J.  Glent worth  Butler,  D.D., 
were  appointed  the  Committee  of  Five  referred  to  on  page  14  of 
the  Report  of  the  Joint  Committee  on  Reunion. 

The  Committee  to  confer  with  th.e  Dcleu-ates  of  the  other  Gen- 


25 

oral  Assembly  reoomiuendeil  the    following   minute,  which   was 
adopted : 

This  Assembly  has  heard  with  profound  satisfaction,  and  re- 
ciprocates with  cordial  fellowship,  the  statement  of  the  Delega- 
tion from  the  General  Assembly  at  Albany  al)out  the  plan  of 
Keiinion. 

In  respect,  however,  to  the  proposition  for  a  change  in  Arti- 
cle 1st,  as  our  Assembly  is  on  the  eve  of  an  adjournment  and 
greatly  reduced  in  numbers, — 

Resolved,  That  we  regret  that  no  action  can  now  be  had  upon 
this  subject,  as  it  cannot,  according  to  our  rules,  be  reconsidered 
and  amended  at  the  present  sessions  of  the  Assembly  ;  nor  can  the 
proposed  amendment  be  now  sent  down  to  our  Presbyteries  in 
such  a  form  as  that  its  adoption  would  be  of  any  legal  effect. 

JResolved,  That  the  Committee  of  Fifteen  on  Reunion  be  con- 
tinued, and  that  the  other  Assembly  be  requested  to  appoint  a 
similar  Committee,  to  cooperate  with  this,  in  furnishing  such  in- 
formation as  they  may  deem  best  to  the  churches,  in  order  to  se- 
cure intelligent  action  on  the  subject  of  Reunion. 


OVERTURE  TO  THE  PRESBYTERIES. 

The  attention  of  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Presbyteries 
is  called  to  the  following  foots : — 

1.  Tlie  Report  of  the  Special  Committee  of  Nine  was  unani- 
mously adopted  by  the  General  Assembly. 

2.  The  adoption  of  this  Report  included  an  approval  of  the  Re- 
port of  the  Special  Committee  of  Fifteen  on  Reunion  ;  and  requir- 
ed the  Basis  of  Reiinion,  recommended  by  the  joint  Committee  of 
Thirty,  and  mutually  approved  by  the  two  General  Assemblies  of 
1868,  to  be  sent  down  as  an  overture  to  the  Presbyteries. 

3.  The  proposal  for  an  amendment  of  the  First  Article  in  this 
Basis,  submitted  by  the  Albany  Assembly,  not  havini;  been  adop- 
ted by  our  Assembly,  constitutes  no  part  of  the  Overture,  and  is 
not  to  be  submitted  to  the  Presbyteries. 

4.  The  subsequent  action  of  the  Albany  Assembly,  in  respect 
to  the  interpretation  to  be  given  to  the  Basis,  not  having  been 
adopted  by  our  Assembly,  is  without  binding  force,  and  has 
nothing  whatever  to  do  with  the  Overture  itself. 

5.  It  is  made  the  duty  of  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  several  Pi-es- 
byteries,  to  lay  this  action  of  the  General  Assembly  before  their 
respective  Presbyteries  for  their  consideration ;  and,  previously 
to  the  meeting  of  the  next  General  Assembly,  to  forward  to  the 
Stated  Clerk  of  the  Assembly  a  duly  authenticated  report  of  the 
result. 

The  following  is  respectfully  submitted  as  a  correct  and  appi-o- 
priate  FORM  in  which  to  bring  the  OVERTURE  ox  REUNIOX 
before  the  Presbyteries  : — 

"Does  this  Presbytery  approve  of,  and  give  their  consent  to, 
the  Reiinion  of  the  two  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  on  the  Basis  proposed  by  the  joint 
Committee  of  Thirty,  and  approved  by  the  two  General  Assem- 
blies meeting,  in  May,  1868,  respectively,  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  and 
Ilarrisburgh^Pa.?" 

By  order  of  the  General  Assembly, 

Edwix  F.  Hatfikld, 
New-York,  Julv  15,  1868.  Stated  Clerk. 


REUNION 


ACTION    OF    THE 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLIES  (0.  S.)  OF  1866  AND  "67, 


WITH  THE 


REPORT  OF  THE  JOINT  COMMITTEE 


APPOINTED  BY   THE 


TWO  ASSEMBLIES  (O.  S.  AND  N.  S.)  OF  1866. 


PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  THE 

COMMITTEE  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  (0.  S.) 


PHILADELPHIA : 
PRESBYTERIAN  BOARD  OF  PUBLICATION, 

No.  821  CHESTNUT  STREET. 


NOTICE. 


The  following  action  on  Reunion  is  published  in  order  "to 
afford  the  Church  a  full  opportunity  to  examine  the  subject  in 
the  light  of  all  its  advantages  and  difficulties,  so  that  the  Com- 
mittee may  have  the  benefit  of  any  suggestions  which  may  be 
offered,  before  making  a  final  report  to  the  next  Assembly." 
Minutes  of  Assembly,  1867,  p.  362,  Res.  7. 

Suggestions  should  be  concise,  specific,  and  over  the  vyiiter's 
own  signature;  and  should  be  sent  to  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee by  January  1,  1868. 

N.  B. — Copies  of  this  pamphlet  may  be  obtained  by  ad- 
dressing The  Presbyterian  Board  of  Publication,  821 
Chestnut  Street,  Philadelphia. 


THE  JOINT   COMMITTEE. 


(O.  S.) 

CHAKLES  C.  BEATTY,  D.D.,LL.D.,  Steuben ville,  O. 
JOHN  T,  BACKUS,  D.D.,  Schenectady,  N.  Y. 
PHINEAS  D.  GUELEY,  D.D.,  Washington,  D.  C. 
JOSEPH   G.  MONFOET,  D.D.,  Cincinnati,  O. 
WILLIAM   D.  HOWAED,  D.D.,  Allegheny  City,  Pa. 
W^ILLIAM  E.  SCHENCK,  D.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
VILLEEOY  D.  EEED,  D.D.,  Camden,  N.  J. 
FEEDEEICK  T.  BEOWN,  D.D.,  St.  Paul,  Minn. 
J.  EDSON   EOCKWELL,  D.D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
JAMES   M.  EAY,  Esq.,  Indianapolis,  Ind. 
Hon.  EOBEET  McKNIGHT,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Hon.  SAMUEL  GALLOWAY,  LL.D.,  Columbus,  O. 
HOVEY  K.  CLAEKE,  Esq.,  Detroit,  Mich. 
Hon.  GEOEGE  P.  STEONG,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
Peof.  OEMOND  BEATTY,  LL.D.,  Danville,  Ky. 

(N.  S.) 
WILLIAM  ADAMS,  D.D.,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 
EDWIN  F.  HATFIELD,  D.D.,  New  York  City,  N.  Y. 
JONATHAN  F.  STEAENS,  D.D.,  Newark,  N.  J. 
PHILEMON  H.  FOWLEE,  D.D.,  Utica,  N.  Y. 
JAMES  B.  SHAW,  D.D.,  Eochester,  N.  Y. 
HENEY   L.  HITCHCOCK,  D.D.,  Hudson,  O. 
EOBEET  W.  PATTEESON,  D.D.,  Chicago,  HI. 
HENEY  A.  NELSON,  D.D.,  St.  Louis,  Mo. 
GEOEGE  F.  WISWELL,  D.D.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Hon.  EDWAED   A.  LAMBEET,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
Hon.  JOSEPH   ALLISON,  LL.D.,  West  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Hon.  HENEY  W.  WILLIAMS,  LL.D.,  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 
Hon.  TEUMAN   P.  HANDY,  Cleveland,  O. 
EOBEET  W.  STEELE,  Esq.,  Daj^on,  O. 
Mr.  JACOB  S.  FAEEAND,  Detroit,  Mich. 


ACTION  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 

Of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
in  Session  in  the  Second  Presbyterian  Church  of  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  May  25th,  A.  D.  1866. 

"  Resolved,  1.  That  this  Assembly  expresses  its  fraternal  affec- 
tion for  the  other  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  its 
earnest  desire  for  reunion  at  the  earliest  time  consistent  with 
agreement  in  doctrine,  order,  and  polity,  on  the  basis  of  our 
common  standards,  and  the  prevalence  of  mutual  confidence 
and  love,  which  are  necessary  to  a  happy  union,  and  to  the  per- 
manent peace  and  prosperity  of  the  united  Church. 

"  Resolved,  2.  That  it  be  recommended  to  all  our  churches  and 
church  courts,  and  to  all  our  ministers,  ruling  elders,  and  com- 
municants, to  cherish  fraternal  feelings,  to  cultivate  Christian 
intercourse,  in  the  worship  of  God  and  in  che  promotion  of  the 
cause  of  Christ,  and  to  avoid  all  needless  controversies  and  com- 
petitions adapted  to  perpetuate  division  and  strife. 

"Resolved,  3.  That  a  Committee  of  nine  ministers  and  six 
ruling  elders  be  appointed,  provided  that  a  similar  Committee 
shall  be  appointed  by  the  other  Assembly  now  in  session  in  this 
city,  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  in  regard  to  the  desirable- 
ness and  practicability  of  reiinion,  and  if,  after  conference  and 
inquiry,  such  reunion  shall  seem  to  be  desirable  and  practicable, 
to  suggest  suitable  measures  for  its  accomplishment,  and  report 
to  the  next  General  Assembly." 

The  following  were  subsequently  appointed  as  the  Committee: 
2Ihiisters — J.  M.  Krebs,  D.  D.,  of  the  Synod  of  New  York, 

C.  C.  Beatty,  D.  P.,  of  the  Synod  of  Wheeling,  J.  T.  Backus, 

D.  D.,  of  the  Svnod  of  Albany,  P.  D.  Gurley,  D.  D.,  of  the 
Synod  of  Baltimore,  J.  G.  Monfort,  D.  D.,  of  the  Synod  of 
Cincinnati,  W.  D.  Howard,  D.  D.,  of  the  Svnod  of  Pittsburg, 
W.  E.  Schenck,  D.  D.,  of  the  Synod  of  Philadelphia,  Yilleroy 
D.  Reetl,  P.  P.,  of  the  Synod  of  Xew  Jersey,  F.  T.  Brown, 
D.  D.,  of  the  Synod  of  Chicago.  Ruling  Elders — James  M. 
Ray,  of  the  Synod  of  Northern  Indiana,  Robert  McKuight,  of 
the  Synod  of  Allegheny,  Samuel  Galloway,  of  the  Synod  of 
Ohio,  H.  K.  Clarke,  of  the  Synod  of  Sandusky,  George  P. 
Strong,  of  the  Synod  of  Missouri,  Ormond  Beatty,  of  the  Sy- 
nod of  Kentucky. 


REPORT 

Of  the  Committee  on  the  Reunion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
presented  to  the  General  Assembly,  in  Session  in  Cincinnati, 
May  17th,  1867. 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  last  General  Assembly  to 
confer  with  a  similar  Committee  of  the  other  Assembly,  on  the 
desirableness  and  practicability  of  i-eiiniting  the  bodies  which 
they  severally  represent,  would  respectfully  report : 

That  in  the  discharge  of  the  duty  assigned  them,  the  two 
Committees  assembled  in  the  city  of  New  York  on  Wednesday, 
February  20Ui,  1867,  and  after  organizing  in  their  res})ective 
places  of  appointment,  met  in  joint  session  for  conference  and 
prayer.  Tiiese  meetings  continued  to  a  late  hour  on  Friday 
evening,  February  22d,  when  the  Committees  adjourned,  to 
meet  again  in  the  sarae  city,  on  the  first  day  of  ISIay.  Reas- 
sembling at  that  time,  they  continued  their  conferences  till 
Tuesday,  May  7th,  when  they  finally  adjourned^ 

The  circumstances  in  which  the  Committees  held  their  first 
meeting  were  so  peculiar  as  to  demand  a  special  mention,  as 
they  were  fitted  to  produce  an  unusual  sobriety. 

The  chairmen  of  both  Committees,  as  originally  constituted, 
were  absent.  One,  Rev.  Dr.  Brainerd,  had  been  translated  to 
that  world  where  all  the  distinctions  of  Christian  discipleship 
which  exist  on  the  earth  are  lost  in  the  harmony  of  heaven. 
The  other.  Rev.  Dr.  Krebs,  was  disabled,  by  severe  illness,  from 
all  participation  in  our  conferences,  waiting  for  that  change  to 
come  which  will  unite  him  to  the  great  company  of  Christian 
ministers  in  the  kingdom  of  God. 

All  the  meetings  of  the  Committees  were  distinguished  by  a 
degree  of  courtesy  and  unanimity  which  was  more  than  com- 
mon. Composed  of  men  of  decided  individuality,  representing 
divers  interests  and  sections,  they  have  discussed  every  question 
— many  of  them  of  admitted  delicacy  and  difficulty — with  the 
utmost  frankness,  without  one  word  or  expression  of  any  kind 
ever  to  be  regretted  by  Christian  brethren  who  felt  the  grave 
responsibilities  of  their  position. 

The  result  of  their  conferences  is  contained  in  the  following 
document,  adopted  in  joint  Committee  with  remarkable  unan- 
imity : — 


Proposed  Terms  of  Reunion  between  the  two  branches  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Giurch  in  the  United  Slates  of  America. 

The  Joint  Committee  of  tlio  two  General  Assemblies  of  the 
Presbyterian  Chiircjh,  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  conferring 
on  the  desirableness  and  practicability  of  uniting  tiiesc  two 
bodies,  deeply  impressed  Avith  tlie  responsibility  of  the  work  as- 
signed us,  and  having  earnestly  sought  Divine  guidance  and 
patiently  devoted  ourselves  to  the  investigation  of  the  questions 
involved,  agree  in  presenting  the  following  for  the  consideration, 
and,  if  they  see  fit,  for  the  adoption  of  the  two  General  As- 
semblies:— 

Believing  that  the  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  would 
be  promoted  by  healing  our  divisions;  that  practical  union 
would  greatly  augment  the  efficiency  of  the  whole  Church  for 
the  accomplishment  of  its  divinely-appointed  work;  that  the 
main  causes  producing  division  have  either  wholly  passed  away, 
or  become  in  a  great  degree  inoperative;  and  that  two  bodies, 
bearing  the  same  name,  adopting  the  same  Constitution,  and 
claiming  the  same  corporate  rights,  cannot  be  justified  by  any 
but  the  most  imperative  reasons  in  maintaining  separate  and,  in 
some  respects,  rival  organizations ;  and  regarding  it  as  both  just 
and  j)roper  that  a  Reunion  should  be  effected  by  the  two 
Churches  as  independent  bodies,  and  on  equal  terms ; — we  pro- 
pose the  following  Terms  and  Recommendations,  as  suited  to 
meet  the  demands  of  the  case: — 

1.  The  Reiinion  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  and  eccle- 
siastical basis  of  our  common  standards.  The  Confession  of 
Faith  shall  continue  to  be  sincerely  received  and  adopted  "as 
containing  the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures;" and  its  fair  historical  sense,  as  it  is  accepted  by  the  two 
bodies  in  opposition  to  Antinomianism  and  Fatalism  on  the  one 
hand,  and  to  Arminianisra  and  Pelagianism  on  the  other,  shall 
be  regarded  as  the  sense  in  which  it  is  received  and  adopted; 
and  the  government  and  discij)line  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  shall  continue  to  be  approved  as  containing 
the  principles  and  rules  of  our  polity. 

2.  All  the  ministers  and  churches  embraced  in  the  two  bodies 
shall  be  admitted  to  the  same  standing  in  the  united  body  which 
they  may  hold  in  their  respective  connections  up  to  the  consum- 
mation of  the  union;  and  all  the  churches  connected  with  the 
united  body,  not  thoroughly  Presbyterian  in  their  organization, 
shall  be  advised  to  perfect  their  organization  a.s  soon  as  is  per- 
mitted by  the  highest  interests  to  be  consulted;  no  other  such 
churches  shall  be  received;  and  such  persons  alone  shall  be 
chosen  Commissioners  to  the  General  Assembly  as  are  eligible 
according:  to  the  Constitution  of  the  Church. 


3.  The  boundnries  of  the  several  Presbyteries  and  Synods 
shall  be  adjusted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  united 
church. 

4.  The  official  Records  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Church 
for  the  period  of  separation  shall  be  preserved  and  held  as 
making  up  the  one  history  of  the  Church ;  and  no  rule  or  pre- 
cedent, which  does  not  stand  approved  by  both  the  bodies,  shall 
be  of  any  authority  until  reestablished  in  the  united  body. 

5.  The  corporate  rights,  now  held  by  the  two  General  As- 
semblies, and  by  their  Boards  and  Committees,  shall,  as  far  as 
practicable,  be  consolidated  and  applied  for  their  several  objects 
as  defined  by  law. 

6.  There  shall  be  one  set  of  Committees  or  Boards  for  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions,  and  the  other  religious  enterprises  of  the 
Church,  which  the  churches  shall  be  encouraged  to  sustain, 
though  left  free  to  cast  their  contributions  into  other  channels 
if  they  desire  to  do  so. 

7.  As  soon  as  practicable,  after  the  union  shall  be  effected, 
the  General  Assembly  shall  reconstruct  and  consolidate  the 
several  Permanent  Committees  and  Boards  which  now  belong 
to  the  two  Assemblies,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  represent,  as  far 
as  possible,  with  impartiality,  the  views  and  wishes  of  the  two 
bodies  constituting  the  united  Church. 

8.  "When  it  shall  be  ascertained  that  the  requisite  number  of 
Presbyteries  of  the  two  bodies  have  approved  the  terms  of 
union,  as  hereinafter  provided  for,  the  two  General  Assemblies 
shall  each  appoint  a  Committee  of  Seven,  none  of  them  having 
an  official  relation  to  either  the  Board  or  the  Committee  of  Pub- 
lication, who  shall  constitute  a  joint  Committee,  whose  duty  it 
shall  be  to  revise  the  Catalogues  of  the  existing  publications  of 
the  two  Churches,  and  to  make  out  a  list  from  them  of  such 
books  and  tracts  as  shall  be  issued  by  the  united  Church  ;  and 
any  catalogue  thus  made  out,  in  order  to  its  adoption,  shall  be 
approved  by  at  least  five  members  of  each  Committee. 

9.  If,  at  any  time  after  the  union  has  been  effected,  any  of 
the  theological  seminaries,  under  the  care  and  control  of  the 
General  Assembly,  shall  desire  to  put  themselves  under  Synodi- 
cal  control,  they  shall  be  permitted  to  do  so  at  the  request  of 
their  Boards  of  direction ;  and  those  seminaries  which  are  in- 
dependent in  their  organization  shall  have  the  privilege  of  put- 
ting themselves  under  ecclesiastical  control,  to  the  end  that,  if 
practicable,  a  system  of  ecclesiastical  supervision  of  such  insti- 
tutions may  ultimately  prevail  through  the  entire  united  Church. 

10.  It  shall  be  regarded  as  the  duty  of  all  our  judicatories, 
ministers,  and  people  in  the  united  Church,  to  study  the  things 
which  make  for  peace,  and  to  guard  against  all  needless  and  of- 
fensive references  to  the  causes  that  have  divided  us ;  and  in 


order  to  avoid  tlie  revival  of  past  issues  by  the  continuance  of 
any  usage  in  either  branch  of  the  Ciiurch  that  has  grown  out 
of  our  former  conflicts,  it  is  earnestly  recommended  to  the  lower 
judicatories  of  the  ('hurch  that  they  conform  their  practice  in 
relation  to  all  such  usages,  as  far  as  consistent  with  their  con- 
victions of  duty,  to  the  general  custom  of  the  Church  prior  to 
the  controversies  that  resulted  in  the  separation. 

11.  The  terms  of  the  reunion  shall  be  of  binding  force,  if 
they  shall  be  ratified  by  three-fourths  of  the  Presbyteries  con- 
nected with  each  branch  of  the  Church  within  one  year  after 
they  shall  have  been  submitted  to  them  for  aj)proval. 

12.  The  terms  of  the  reunion  shall  be  published  by  direction 
of  the  General  Assemblies  of  1867,  for  the  deliberate  examina- 
tion of  both  branches  of  the  Church,  and  the  Joint  Committee 
shall  report  to  the  General  Assemblies  of  1868  any  modifica- 
tion of  them  they  may  deem  desirable,  in  view  of  any  new  light 
that  may  have  been  received  during  the  year. 

13.  It  is  recommended  that  the  Hon.  Daniel  Haines  and 
the  Hon.  Henry  W.  Green,  LL.D.,  of  New  Jersey,  Daniel 
Lord,  LL.D.,  and  Theodore  W.  Dwight,  LL.D.,  of  New 
York,  and  Hon.  William  Strong  and  Hon.  George  Shars- 
WOOD,  LL.D.,  of  Pennsylvania,  be  appointed  by  the  General 
Assemblies  a  Committee  to  investigate  all  questions  of  property 
and  of  vested  rights,  as  they  may  stand  related  to  the  matter 
of  reiinion,  and  this  Committee  shall  report  to  the  Joint  Com- 
mittee as  early  as  the  first  of  January,  1868. 

14.  It  is  evident  that,  in  order  to  adapt  our  ecclesiastical  sys- 
tem to  the  necessities  and  circumstances  of  the  united  Church, 
as  a  greatly  enlarged  and  widely-extended  body,  some  changes 
in  the  Constitution  will  be  required.  The  Joint  Committee, 
therefore,  request  the  two  General  Assemblies  to  instruct  them 
in  regard  to  the  preparation  of  an  additional  article  ou  this  sub- 
ject, to  be  reported  to  the  Assemblies  of  1868. 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Joint  Committee, 

Charles  C.  Beatty,  Chairman. 
Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  Secretary. 

New  York,  May  7th,  1867. 

Leaving  their  report  with  the  General  Assemblies,  and  the 
ministers  and  churches  of  our  denomination  throughout  the 
land,  your  Committee  cannot  disregard  the  providential  aus- 
pices under  which  their  recommendations  await  decision.  The 
present  is  thought  to  be  a  favourable  time,  now  that  many  ques- 
tions of  former  controversy  have  lost  their  interest,  for  adopting 
a  magnanimous  policy,  suited  to  the  necessities  of  our  country 
and  the  world. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  has  a  history  of  great  renown.  It 
2 


10 

has  been  intimately  associated  with  civil  and  religious  liberty  in 
both  hemispheres.  Its  republican  and  representative  character, 
the  parity  of  its  clergy,  the  simplicity  of  its  order,  the  equity 
of  its  administration,  its  sympathy  with  our  institutions,  its  ar- 
dent patriotism  in  all  stages  of  our  history,  its  flexible  adapta- 
tion to  our  heterogeneous  population,  its  liberal  support  of 
schools,  colleges,  and  seminaries  designed  for  general  education 
and  theological  culture,  its  firm  and  steadfast  faith  in  the  ex- 
tension of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  this  by  means  of  re- 
vealed truth  and  the  special  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  in 
distinction  from  all  trust  in  human  hearts  and  devices — all 
unite  to  promise,  if  we  are  wise  and  faithful,  a  future  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  these  United  States  greater  and  better 
than  all  the  past.  Amid  all  the  changes  which  have  occurred 
around  us,  we  are  confident  that  nothing  true  and  good  will 
ever  recede  or  decay ;  and  it  becomes  all  those  who  love  the 
same  faith,  order,  and  worship,  abounding  in  love  and  hope,  to 
pray  that  God  would  "count  them  worthy  of  their  calling,  that 
they  may  fulfil  all  the  good  pleasure  of  His  goodness  and  the 
work  of  faith  with  power,  that  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  may  be  glorified  in  them  and  they  in  him,  according  to 
the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ." 

Signed  by  order  of  the  Committee, 
Charl 
ViLLEROY  D.  Eeed,  Secretary. 
New  York,  May  1th,  1867. 

The  above  paper  was  referred  to  a  Special  Committee,  a 
majority  of  which  subsequently  brought  in  the  following  report. 
This  report,  after  having  been  amended,  was  adopted  by  a  nearly 
unanimous  vote,  and  is  as  follows  : — 

1.  Resolved,  That  this  Assembly  has  listened  with  grateful 
and  profound  satisfaction  to  the  report  of  the  Committee  on 
Church  Eeiinion,  and  recognizes  in  the  unanimity  of  the  Joint 
Committee  the  finger  of  God  as  pointing  toward  an  early  and 
cordial  reunion  of  the  two  sister  churches  now  so  long  separated. 

2.  Resolved,  That  said  Committee  be  continued  and  directed 
to  cooperate  with  any  similar  Committee  of  the  other  branch  in 
furtherance  of  this  object,  and  to  report  thereon  to  the  next 
General  Assembly. 

3.  Resolved,  That  the  Committee  be  empowered  to  fill  all  va- 
cancies that  may  occur  in  their  body  during  the  coming  year, 
whether  by  resignation,  protracted  sickness,  or  by  death. 

4.  Resolved,  That  the  necessary  expenses  incurred  by  this 
Committee  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  assigned  them  be  paid 
from  the  profits  on  the  sale  of  books  by  the  Board  of  Publi- 
cation. 


11 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Report  of  the  Committee  be  published 
in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes,  and  in  our  reh'gious  news- 
papers, and  commended  to  the  careful  consideration  of  our  whole 
Church,  and  that  the  Committee  be  directed  to  report  to  the 
next  General  Assembly  any  modification  of  the  terms  of  re- 
union specified  therein,  which  may  appear  desirable  to  the  Joint 
Committee,  in  view  of  any  further  light  that  may  have  been 
received  during  the  year. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  Hon.  Daniel  Haines,  and  the  Hon. 
Henry  W.  Green,  LL.D.,  of  New  Jersey,  Daniel  Lord,  LL.D., 
and  Theodore  W.  Dwight,  LL.D.,  of  New  York,  and  the  Hon. 
Wm.  Strong,  and  the  Hon.  Geo.  Sharswood,  LL.D.,  of  Penn- 
sylvania, be  appointed  a  Committee  to  investigate  all  questions 
of  property  and  of  vested  rights  as  they  may  stand  related  to 
the  matter  of  reiiuion ;  and  that  this  Committee  be  requested  to 
report  to  the  Joint  Committee  as  early  as  January  1,  1868  ;  and 
that  our  share  of  the  necessary  expenses  incurred  by  this  Com- 
mittee be  also  paid  by  our  Board  of  Publication  from  the  profits 
on  its  book-sales. 

7.  Resolved,  That  in  submitting  the  Report  of  the  Committee 
on  Reiinion  to  the  consideration  of  the  Churches  and  Presby- 
teries, the  Assembly  is  not  called  upon  at  this  time  to  express 
either  approbation  or  disapprobation  of  the  terms  of  reunion 
presented  by  the  Committee  in  its  details,  but  only  to  afford  the 
Church  a  full  opportunity  to  examine  the  subject  in  the  light 
of  all  its  advantages  and  difficulties,  so  that  the  Committee  may 
have  the^  benefit  of  any  suggestions  which  may  be  offered,  be- 
fore making  a  final  report  for  the  action  of  the  next  Assembly. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  P.  D.  Young,  the  Moderator  was  re- 
quested to  appoint  a  member  of  the  Reunion  Committee  of 
Fifteen  to  fill  the  virtual  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  illness  of 
the  Rev.  John  M.  Krebs,  D.  D.  In  accordance  with  this  re- 
quest, the  Moderator  appointed  the  Rev.  J.  E.  Rockwell,  D.  D., 
of  the  Synod  of  New  York. 


THE    END. 


REPORT 


joi:rt   committees 


TWO  BRANCHES  OF  THi.  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES, 


UPON  LEGAL  QUESTIONS  TOUCHING 


RE-UNIOK 


NEW  YORK 


1868. 


IN  THE  MATTER  OF  THE  RE-UNION 


PRESBYTERIAN  GENERAL  ASSEMBLIES. 


REPOET. 

We,  members  of  the  Committee  appointed  under  the  joint 
resolution  of  the  General  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
which  met  respectively  in  the  year  1867,  at  the  City  of  Cin- 
cinnati, in  the  State  of  Ohio,  and  at  Rochester,  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  "to  investigate  all  questions  of  property,  and 
vested  rights  as  they  may  stand  related  to  the  matter  of  re- 
union," beg  leave  to  submit  the  following  report : 

We  have  had  submitted  to  us  under  the  terms  of  this  reso- 
lution, certain  documents,  of  which  an  abstract  is  found  in  an 
appendix  to  this  report. 

It  is  understood  that  the  opinions  herein  expressed  are 
based  upon  these  papers. 

They  admit  of  a  classification  into  these  classes  : 

I.  The  instrumentalities  by  which  the  General  Assembly  holds 
and  controls  property.     And  herein 

(1.)  The  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House. 

(2.)  The  Trustees  of  the  Church  Erection  Fund. 

(3.)  The  Board  of  Education  (N.  S.) 

(4.)  The  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Home  Missions. 


(5.)  The  Permanent  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions. 
(6.)  The  Board  of  Education  (0.  S.) 

II.  Conveyances,  devises,  or  gifts  to,  and  grants  to  and  from 

one  or  more  of  these  bodies. 

III.  Charters  of  Churches. 

IV.  Devises  and  bequests  not  included  in  the  second  class. 


I. 

The  first  five  of  these  instrumentalities,  or  corporations,  are 
connected  with  the  "  New  School "  Greneral  Assembly,  viz. :  The 
Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House,  The  Trustees  of  the  Church 
Erection  Fund,  The  Board  of  Education,  The  Presbyterian  Com- 
mittee of  Home  Missions,  The  Permanent  Committee  on  Foreign 
Missions.  One  of  them  became  a  corporation  under  the  laws  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  other  four  under  the  legislation  of  New 
York.  Their  acts  of  incorporation  bear  a  close  resemblance  in 
language,  and  constitute  one  scheme  or  design.  The  theoiy  on 
which  all  are  based  is  that  the  property  interests  of  the  General 
Assembly,  instead  of  being  vested  directly  in  that  body,  are  held  in 
trust  by  corporations,  for  it.  The  trustees  of  these  corporations  are 
elected  by  the  General  Assembly,  or  in  such  manner  as  it  may 
appoint  ;  they  are  liable  to  displacement  at  its  will ;  they  man- 
age their  funds  under  its  control  or  direction.  The  title  to  all 
property  given  to  the  Assembly  for  the  purposes  embraced  in 
the  act  of  incorporation  vests  in  the  particular  corporation  having 
the  function  to  perform  which  the  donation  or  bequest  was  in- 
tended to  aid. 

In  other  words,  each  corporation  is,  as  it  were,  the  machin- 
ery whereby  the  General  Assembly  carries  forward  the  great  in- 
terests of  Church  Erection,  Education,  Home  Missions,  Foreign 
Missions,  etc.,  etc.  They  are  but  little  more  than  committees 
of  the  Assembly,  having  impressed  upon  them  the  capacity  of 
succession,  and  the  power  to  take,  hold,  and  dispose  of  land  and 


other  property.  The  questions  which  may  arise  are  not  different 
from  those  which  would  have  been  presented  in  case  the  General 
Assembly  were  itself  the  corporation  holding  property,  and  the 
property  rights  to  be  investigated  had  been  acquired  by  its  own 
act,  or  by  gift,  devise,  or  bequest.     To  be  more  specific  : 

(1.)  The  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Hquse.  This  body 
originated  under  the  report  of  the  "  Committee  on  the  polity  of 
the  Church"  in  1854,  (Minutes  of  1854,  pp.  502-3)  which 
recommended  that,  if  the  General  Assembly  should  appoint  a 
board  of  trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  Publication  House,  it 
should  be  incorporated  under  the  laws  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
General  Assembly  appointed  such  a  board,  and  the  act  of  incor- 
poration was  obtained  accordingly.  The  principal  object  of  the 
charter  seems  to  have  been  to  permit  land  to  be  owned  by  the 
said  Trustees  for  the  business  of  the  societies  and  churches  con- 
nected with  the  Assembly.  The  Trustees  are  also  authorized  to 
hold  any  property  in  trust  for  the  Assembly  committed  to  them, 
or  to  the  Assembly  for  them,  by  donations,  bequests,  or  other- 
wise. This  clause  was  inserted  on  the  recommendation  of  the 
"  Committee  on  Church  Polity."  The  Trustees  are  elected  by 
the  Assembly,  which  has  power  to  increase  their  number,  while 
their  management  of  the  funds  committed  to  their  care  is  sub- 
ject to  the  direction  of  the  Assembly.  Pamphlet  Laws  of  Penn- 
sylvania, April  21, 1855. 

(2.)  TJie  Trustees  of  the  Church  Erection  Fimd.  It  was  a 
part  of  the  plan  of  the  "Committee  on  the  Polity  of  the 
Church  "  of  1854,  that  a  body  chosen  by  the  Assembly  as  the 
"  Trustees  of  the  Church  Erection  Fund  "  should  be  incorpo- 
rated under  the  laws  of  New  York.  An  act  was  obtained 
accordingly.  New  York  Session  Laws,  March  31,  1855.  The 
Trustees  haviog  been  designated  for  that  purpose,  in  May, 
1854,  were  constituted  a  body  corporate  and  politic,  for  the  pur- 
pose of-aiding  "  feeble  congregations,  in  connection  with  the  said 
General  Assembly,  in  erecting  houses  of  worship,"  under  certain 
conditions.  The  Trustees  are  to  remain  in  office,  and  to  be 
displaced  at  the  will  of  the  Assembly,  and  others  to  be  appoint- 
ed in  their  x^laces.     It  is  further  provided  that  the  "  Church 


Erection  Fund "  is  to  be  held  and  administered  in  conformity 
with  the  plan  of  the  General  Assembly. 

(3.)  Tlie  Board  of  Education.  In  1856  the  Assembly 
established  "  a  Permanent  Committee  on  Education  for  the 
Ministry,"  whose  members  were  to  be  reelected  from  time  to 
time  by  the  Assembly. 

In  1858  an  Act  of  incorporation  was  obtained  from  the 
Legislature  of  New  York,  constituting  this  committee  a  corpo- 
ration to  superintend  the  whole  cause  of  Education,  as  the  As- 
sembly might  from  time  to  time  direct.  It  was  also  empowered 
to  take  and  to  manage  the  property  which  might  be  given  or 
devised  to  it,  or  to  the  General  Assembly  for  educational  j)ur- 
poses,  and  its  members  are  subject  to  displacement  and  appoint- 
ment at  the  pleasure  of  the  Assembly.  Session  Laws  of  1858, 
April  17. 

(4.)  The  next  of  these  corporations  is  The  Preshyterian 
Committee  of  Home  3Iissions. 

This  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  of  New  York  in 
1862.  It  was  constituted  a  body  politic  to  assist  in  sustaining 
the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  in  feeble  churches  and  congregations  in 
connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States, 
and  generally  to  superintend  the  whole  cause  of  Home  Missions 
in  behalf  of  the  said  Church,  as  the  General  Assembly  may  from 
time  to  time  direct.  It  was  also  to  receive  and  manage  any 
property  which  might  be  entrusted  to  the  Church  or  the  Com- 
mittee for  Home  Missionary  purposes. 

The  Trustees  bold  under  the  same  control  of  the  Assembly 
as  has  already  been  alluded  to  in  the  cases  before  described. 

(5.)  The  Permanent  Com7nittee  on  Foi^eign  Missions  : 

The  last  of  these  corporations  connected  with  the  New 
School  General  Assembly,  was  chartered  by  the  Legislature  of 
New  York.     Session  Laws  of  New  York,  Ch.  493,  1865. 

Persons  designated  by  the  Gejieral  Assembly  were  made  a 
body  corporate  to  superintend  the  whole  cause  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions in  language  nearly  identical  with  that  employed  in  chap- 
ter 340  of  the  Laws  of  1862,  concerning  Home  Missions. 

(6.)  Board  of  Education.  (0.  S.)     The   single   Board  to 


which  our  attention  has  been  called,  connected  with  that  branch 
of  the  Church  usually  styled  the  "  Old  School/'  is  the  Board 
of  Education,  chartered  in  1841  in  Pennsylvania,  with  an 
amendment  in  1852.  There  had  been  a  Board  of  Education, 
not  incorporated.  The  want  of  incorporation  being  attended 
with  practical  inconvenience,  trustees  of  the  Board  of  Education 
were  incorporated,  numbering  nine.  They  are  elected  by  "  the 
Board  of  Education  in  such  a  manner  that  one  third  go  out  of 
office  every  year.  Their  management  of  the  trust  funds  is  sub- 
ject to  the  direction  of  the  Board  of  Education.  By  the 
amendment  to  the  charter,  the  trustees  are  entitled  to  receive 
and  hold  property  devised,  bequeathed  or  given  to  them  "  for 
the  purpose  of  aiding  schools,  academics  and  colleges,  or  the 
cause  of  education  generally.'"' 

Under  this  last  broad  power,  we  have  not  been  informed 
whether  any  such  devises,  gifts  or  bequests  have  been  made. 

This  Corporation,  for  like  reasons  as  those  which  have  been 
already  stated,  is  simply  the  instrument  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  the  considerations  governing  its  rights  to  hold  property 
are  the  same  as  those  which  would  be  presented  if  the  property 
were  held  by  the  General  Assembly  itself 

For  the  sake  of  simplicity,  assuming  that  the  funds  in 
question  are  held  directly  by  each  General  Assembly,  there  are 
two  classes  of  questions  which  present  themselves  for  solution  : 
One  is,  what  is  the  effect  of  the  proposed  re-union  on  such 
projDerty  as  the  General  Assembly  holds  simply  as  proprietor  : 
second,  what  is  the  effect  of  such  re -union  in  the  case  of  specific 
trusts,  such  as  would  be  likely  to  be  found  in  devises,  bequests, 
and  voluntary  conveyances. 

The  investigation  of  these  two  questions  will  arise  also  in 
connection  with  the  other  documents  presented  to  us,  such  as 
the  Charters  of  Churches,  and  devises  and  bequests  to  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly. 

■  We  will  therefore  defer  their  consideration  until  the  other 
papers  submitted  to  us  have  been  described  in  general  terms, 
when  these  points  will  be  examined. 


II. 


We  now  proceed  to  tlie  mention  of  the  transactions  entered 
into  by  these  corporations.  All  which  have  been  submitted  to 
us  are  on  the  part  of  the  "■  Presbyterian  House."  These  trans- 
actions are  of  two  classes. 

The  first  class  consist  of  conveyances  regulating  and  defining 
the  mode  in  which  the  property  of  the  Greneral  Assembly  is  held, 
and  declaring  the  trusts  upon  which  the  conveyance  was  made 
to  the  Trustees.  Of  this  there  is  a  single  example.  The  second 
class  of  conveyances  are  voluntary,  apparently  either  gifts  from 
individuals,  or  from  a  number  of  persons  combining  their  con- 
tributions. They  are  all  conveyances  upon  specific  trusts  foi 
the  use  of  a  congregation  or  congregations  maintaining  an  eccle- 
siastical connection  with  the  New  School  General  Assembly,  and 
when  that  connection  ceases,  the  trust  either  ceases  absolutely, 
or  is  transferred  to  some  other  congregation  having  that  ecclesi- 
astical connection. 

The  instance  of  the  first  class  referred  to  is  a  declaration  of 
trust  made  by  "the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House"  of 
certain  lots  of  land  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  It  appears 
that  the  General  Assembly  had  declared  that  its  will  was  that 
the  property  in  question  should  be  held  by  the  "  Trustees  of 
the  Presbyterian  House"  in  trust,  to  permit  and  suffer  the  Pres- 
byterian Publication  Committee  to  use  and  occupy  the  land, 
subject  to  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  the  Trustees  should 
execute  a  declaration  of  trust.     This  was  done  accordingly. 

This  property  was  conveyed  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Presby- 
terian House  by  Samuel  Smyth,  February  2,  1855.  As  there 
is  no  evidence  before  us  of  any  specific  trust  in  the  conveyance 
from  him,  it  is  supposed  to  have  been  acquired  for  a  valuable 
consideration  for  the  use  of  the  New  School  branch  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

The  next  conveyance  which  belongs  to  the  second  class  of 
cases  is  an  instrument  executed  by  Samuel  Work  and  wife  to 
"  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House  "  for  a  nominal  con- 


sideration.  The  trast  declared  in  the  deed  is,  that  the  property- 
shall  be  held  for  the  use  of  a  particular  congregation,  which  are 
named  as  tenants  at  will  so  long  as  they  remain  in  connection 
with  the  so-called  New  School  General  Assembly,  and  when 
they  cease  to  be  so  connected,  then  in  trust  for  some  other  Pres- 
byterian church  and  congregation  as  tenants  at  will  which  the 
Trustees  shall  approve,  and  which  shall  be  in  connection  with  a 
Prcsbyteiy  in  union  with  the  General  Assembly. 

The  next  conveyance  of  the  same  class  to  "  the  Trustees 
of  the  Presbyterian  House  "  is  from  M.  W.  Baldwin  and  wife 
for  a  nominal  consideration.  The  property  conveyed  is  to  be 
held  in  trust  for  a  particular  church  (the  Tabor  Presbyterian 
Church)  "  so  long  as  it  shall  continue  in  connection  with  that 
branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  (called  the  New  School)  and 
no  longer." 

The  next  conveyance  is  made  by  A.  Whilldin  and  others 
to  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House.  The  funds  with 
which  this  property  was  acquired  were  contributed  by  Whilldin 
and  others.  The  conveyance  is  in  trust  for  a  church  and  con- 
gregation in  ecclesiastical  connection  with  and  under  the  care  of 
the  New  School  General  Assembly,  to  permit  such  congregation 
to  hold  as  tenants  at  will,  while  their  ecclesiastical  connection 
continues  undisturbed,  and  on  their  becoming  incorporated  upon 
certain  conditions,  to  convey  the  property  to  them. 

The  only  additional  conveyance  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Pres- 
byterian House  is  one  made  on  behalf  of  the  widow,  children 
and  residuary  legatees  of  Matthias  W.  Baldwin  to  carry  into 
effect  the  design  of  Mr.  Baldwin,  which  had  been  frustrated  by 
his  death.  .  The  Trustees  are  to  permit  a  particular  congregation 
to  occupy  the  property  as  tenants  at  will  for  the  purposes  of  re- 
ligious worship,  so  long  as  they  shall  remain  in  connection  with 
and  under  the  care  of  the  New  School  General  Assembly  and 
no  longer.  The  last  four  conveyances  create  what  for  the  sake 
of  convenience  and  reference  may  be  termed  "  specific  trusts  " 
as  distinguished  from  the  case  where  no  particular  designation 
of  the  uses  to  which  the  property  is  to  be  devoted  is  made. 


10 


III. 


Charters  of  Churches  .; — These  charters  are  of  two  hinds  : 
One  includes  those  which  were  created  before  the  separation  of 
the  two  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  which  of 
course  no  reference  is  made  of  adhesion  to  any  particular  branch  ; 
the  other  class,  chartered  since  the  disruption,  specifically  names 
the  G-eneral  Assembly  to  which  the  particular  church  adheres. 

The  first  class  is  illustrated  by  a  single  case  submitted  to  us, 
that  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  District  of  South- 
wark  and  County  of  Philadelphia. 

This  organization  was  effected  in  1820.  The  congregation 
associated  "  for  religious  purposes,"  and  held  property  for  the 
support  of  a  pastor  or  pastors,  and  other  officers,  and  such  pious 
and  charitable  purposes,  as  shall  by  the  said  society  be  estab- 
lished. It  is  only  by  its  name  that  we  can  be  made  certain  that 
this  is  a  Presbyterian  Church. 

We  suppose  that  this  instance  involves  the  question  of  the 
status  of  all  the  Churches  connected  with  either  General  Assem- 
bly where  there  is  no  specific  description  cf  adhesion  to  any 
particular  branch  of  the  church. 

The  second  class  of  charters  contain  in  substance  this  clause  : 
"  The  faith  and  government  of  the  said  church  shall  conform  to 
the  faith  and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America  ;  and  the  said  church  shall  be  con- 
nected with  and  deemed  to  be  under  the  care  of  that  General 
Assembly  which  met  last,"  &c.,  meaning  the  so-called  New^ 
School  General  Assembly.  There  is  a  further  provision  that 
there  shall  be  no  "alteration,  change  or  amendment  whatever  ■'" 
in  this  provision. 

Three  such  charters  have  been  submitted  which  resemble 
each  other  so  closely  that  it  will  be  unnecessary  to  consider  them 
separately.     They  are  described  in  the  Appendix. 


11 


IV. 


Devises. — The  will  of  Maiy  Cornell  is  suLmitted.  The  tes- 
tatrix provides  that  the  proceeds  of  her  residuary  estate  shall  he 
devoted  to  the  purchase  of  land  to  he  forever  held  and  used  by 
a  church  and  congregation  "  which  shall  be  in  connection  with 
that  portion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  now  designated  in  com- 
mon parlance  as  the  New  School."  In  case  that  connection 
ceases,  the  testatrix  directs  a  forfeiture  of  the  interest  previously 
devised,  and  directs  that  the  title  shall  vest  in  "  The  Trustees 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church,"  &c.,  who  are  authorized  in  that 
case,  to  tate  all  necessary  measures  to  recover  the  land  in  trust 
for  a  congregation  connected  with  that  portion  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

By  reason  of  these  various  documents,  questions  are  raised 
as  to  the  relation  of  the  Churches  to  each  General  Assembly, 
both  where  there  is  no  specific  provision  as  to  adhesion  to  any 
particular  branch  of  the  church,  as  well  as  where  such  a  provi- 
sion is  made. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  the  documents  recited  present  those 
forms  of  ownership  : 

First. — Property  owned  by  corporations  which  are  instru- 
ments of  the  General  Assemblies  as  organs  of  the  church. 

Second. — Property  owned  by  those  corporations  with  a  spe- 
cific trust  in  favor  of  one  branch  of  the  church  exclusively. 

jTZizVcZ.—Funds  held  by  particular  churches  under  their 
charters,  which  churches  are  in  fact  attached  exclusively  to  one 
or  the  other  General  Assembly,  without  any  express  charter 
direction. 

jPowr^/i.-— Funds  held  by  particular  churches  whose  charters 
require  specific  adhesion  to  a  particular  branch. 

Fifth. — Devises  or  conveyances  to  particular  churches,  with 
specific  provisions  by  the  devisor  or  grantor,  as  to  that  branch 
of  the  church  general  to  which  the  particular  church  shaU  belong. 

For  the  general  purposes  of  this  report,  we  may  condense 
these  questions  into  two. 


12 

First. — What  is  the  effect  of  re-union  irpon  property  held 
either  by  the  General  Assembly  through  its  corporate  machinery 
or  by  a  particular  church  where  no  specific  directions  or  trusts 
exist. 

Second. — What  is  the  effect  of  the  proposed  re-union  where 
specific  directions  are  given  as  to  the  particular  branch  of  the 
church  to  whose  use  the  funds  are  to  be  applied. 

When  these  questions  are  disposed  of  our  duty  is  performed. 

The  only  objection  which  can  apparently  be  raised  under  the 
first  inquiry  is,  that  the  funds  in  question  are  held  under  the 
so-called  ''  law  of  charitable  trusts,'"'  and  that  the  proposed  re- 
union is  a  departure  from  the  trust  wliich  a  court  of  equity  will 
not  sanction. 

Before  dealing  directly  with  this  question,  there  are  some 
preliminary  suggestions  which  may  be  made. 

These  bodies  were  once  united  ;  they  were  disrupted  ;  they 
propose  to  re-unite.  They  are  one  in  faith  and  form  of  govern- 
ment. We  cannot  be  expected  to  examine  this  question  on  the 
supposition  that  there  are  any  fundamental  differences  between 
the  two  bodies  either  in  doctrine  or  church  government.  No 
such  facts  are  submitted  to  us.  We  have  but  the  simple  ques- 
tion, Is  there  any  legal  obstacle  to  the  re-union  of  two  bodies  on 
the  same  confession  of  faith  and  under  the  same  form  of  govern- 
ment to  which  they  both  originally  adhered  ? 

The  question  really  is  :  Can  the  churches  through  their  re- 
spective organs,  the  G-eneral  Assemblies,  form  such  a  union  as 
to  merge  the  two  Assemblies  into  one  ?  If  not,  there  are  some 
serious  inconveniences  that  would  follow.  Had  there  been  no 
General  Assemblies  or  Synods,  churches  divided  from  Presbyte- 
ries through  some  temporary  alienation  could  scarcely  return  to 
their  former  relations.  Had  there  been  no  General  Assemblies, 
Synods  torn  asunder  by  local  divisions  could  not  meet  together. 
Schism  instead  of  harmony  becomes  the  law  of  the  church. 
Then  the  law  of  the  state  requires  that  strength  should  be 
wasted  instead  of  husbanded  ;  that  weakness  should  be  chronic, 
and  wounds  forever  unhealed.     Then  the  church  must  forever 


13 

be  divided  into  hostile  camps,  flauntiug  banners  of  defiance 
in  eacli  other's  faces,  instead  of  marching  with  united  step  to 
triumph. 

We  hold,  on  the  other  hand,  that  the  presumption  is,  that 
the  two  bodies  ought  to  unite,  unless  there  is  some  clearly 
proved  obstacle,  on  account  of  fundamental  difi'erences  in  faith 
or  form  of  government,  or  incompatibility  of  united  action. 

This  appears  to  us  to  be  the  law  imposed  by  the  founder  of 
the  church  upon  his  followers,  and  therefore  the  law  of  the 
church  itself. 

The  law  of  the  state  seeks  to  administer  such  a  trust  as  this 
upon  the  presumed  intention  of  the  donor  of  the  trust  funds. 
He  must  be  supposed  to  intend  to  have  the  funds  appropriated 
in  accordance  with  the  law  of  the  church  ;  and  the  law  of  the 
church  must  be  presumed  to  be  in  accordance  with  the  law  of 
its  founder. 

It  needs  no  argument  from  us,  to  establish  that  the  precepts 
and  spirit  of  Christianity  require  brethren  to  walk  together  who 
are  agreed. 

The  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  shows  that  it  accords 
with  these  views,  and  that  such  is  the  law  which  its  members 
actually  recognize.  There  have,  undoubtedly,  been  from  time 
to  time,  unfortunate,  and,  perhaps,  in  some  instances,  unneces- 
sary divisions.  Good  men  have  always  deplored  them,  and 
when  the.  temporary  obstacle  has  been  removed,  re-union  has 
come.  Force  only  kept  the  two  bodies  apart — the  law  of  their 
nature  has  been  union  and  re-union.  Called,  as  we  have  been 
recently,  to  examine  the  history  of  these  church  movements,  we 
have  been  continually  reminded  of  the  course  of  a  full  stream, 
which,  meeting  with  an  immovable  obstacle,  divides  to  pass 
around  it,  only  to  re-unite  its  forces  at  the  very  point  where  the 
obstacle  ends.  This  strong  tendency  in  the  Church  to  be  in  full 
accord  with  the  law  of  its  founder,  was  never  so  marked  as  to- 
day, when  the  causes  of  dissension  and  division  are  reduced  and 
removed.  Though  it  may  have  been  repressed,  its  strength  is 
shown  by  the  elasticity  of  its  rebound  when  the  pressure  is  re- 
moved. 


14 

append  no  codicil  to  the  old  Symbols.  They  have  asserted,  as 
being  essential  to  all  true  xmity,  the  necessity  of  adopting  the 
same  Confession  and  the  same  System,  with  the  recognition  of 
liberty  on  either  hand,  for  such  differences  as  do  not  impair  the 
integrity  of  the  system  itself;  which  is  all  the  liberty  that  any 
branch  of  the  great  Calviuistic  family  of  Churches  has  ever  claimed 
or  desired.  Your  Committee  cannot  see  how  it  was  possible  for 
them  to  employ  language  more  precise  and  guarded,  unless  they 
were  prepared  to  substitute  "j^rivate  inter^^retations"  for  the 
recognized  standards  of  the  Church.  To  go  further  in  either 
direction  than  they  have  done  would  certainly  lead  to  useless  and 
endless  "strifes  of  words."  Language  somewhere  must  find  a  limit. 
It  would  be  impossible  so  to  frame  expressions  on  this  subject, 
that  those  who  are  opposed  to  reunion  may  not  find  occasion  to 
cavil  and  object.  But  the  Committee  hope  and  trust  that  the 
Article  now  reported  will  commend  itself  to  all  fair-minded  men, 
as  containing  what  is  precise,  yet  not  exclusive  ;  definite,  yet  not 
rigid;  specific,  yet  not  inflexible  ;  liberal,  without  laxity ;  catholic, 
without  latitudinarianism.  If  exact  uniformity  in  all  shades  of 
opinion,  in  technical  adjustments,  in  philosophic  theories,  be 
regarded  as  essential  to  union,  we  should  earnestly  recommend  the 
indefinite  adjournment  of  the  present  movement.  Nor  would 
consistency  alloAV  us  to  rest  here ;  our  present  organizations 
should  be  dissolved  and  exchanged  for  disintegration  and  indivi- 
dualism. 

Nothing  need  be  said  in  vindication  of  the  Second  Article,  to 
those  who  are  fully  informed  concerning  the  churches  referred  to 
therein.  Your  Committee  had  to  deal,  not  with  abstractions,  but 
with  facts  and  realities.  The  churches  here  described  originated 
in  a  policy  which  was  itself  inaugurated  by  a  remote  necessity ; 
their  number  is  limited,  and  cannot  be  increased ;  the  terms  of 
their  relationship  are  prescribed  and  limited  also  ;  their  Presbyte- 
rian relationship  is  at  present  cordial,  happy,  and  eminently  use- 
ful ;  and  some  of  them  are  deemed,  by  the  Presbyteries  with 
which  they  are  connected,  as  among  their  most  efiicient  and  ex- 
cellent churches.  As  nothing  is  intended  by  our  action  to 
disturb  the  present  relations  of  these  churches,  so  nothing  is 
designed  to  be  done,  at  any  time,  Avhich  can  be  regarded  as  in- 
consistent with  good  faith  and  honor ;  but  such  statements  were 
made  by  those  members  of  the  Joint  Committee  more  immediately 
representing  the  sections  of  country  in  which  these  churches  exist. 


15 

as  led  the  Committee  to  believe,  that  the  friendly  counsel  con- 
tained in  this  Article  would  prove  not  unacceptable  to  these 
churches  themselves,  and  that  the  specification  of  a  definite  time 
might  be  an  aid  to  them  in  perfecting  that  organization  which  is 
now  suggested  by  Christian  expediency, 

Tlie  several  Articles,  Avhicli  contemplate  the  combination  and 
readjustment  of  the  respective  Boards  and  Committees  of  the 
two  Assemblies,  look  only  to  economy  and  increased  efficiency. 

The  recommendation  contained  in  the  ElgJith  Article  calls  for 
the  briefest  explanation,  as  it  is  believed  that  it  Avill  prove  more 
satisfactory  than  the  former  Article,  to  which  various  objections 
were  made.  No  disposition  was  manifest  in  the  Committee  to 
press  invidious  distinctions  and  preferences.  Neither  Publishing 
Committee  is  to  supersede  or  indorse  the  other.  Both,  earnestly 
engaged  at  present  in  publishing  what  is  received  by  the  churches 
at  large  as  valuable  literature  in  theology  and  practical  religion, 
are  advised  to  continue  as  now  organized,  till  such  a  new  Board 
or  Committee  shall  be  appointed  in  the  United  Church,  as,  it  may 
be  supposed,  would  be  prompted  by  every  instinct  of  Christian 
propriety  to  omit  painful  and  invidious  references  to  past  strifes, 
leaving  undisturbed  what  is  now,  and  ever  must  be,  highly  prized 
by  all  our  ministers  and  churches. 

As  to  the  action  of  the  Committee  concerning  Theological 
Seminaries,  as  embodied  in  Article  JVint/i  of  their  report,  all 
difficulty  springs  from  the  obvious  fact,  that  there  is  no  authority 
Avhich  is  competent  to  forbid  the  endowment  of  Seminaries  at  any 
time  by  any  individuals  in  our  connection.  Those  Theological 
Seminaries,  Avhich  are  now  independent  of  ecclesiastical  control, 
were  founded  before  the  disriq)tio?i,  and  endowed  by  men  repre- 
senting alike  what  are  now  known  as  Old  and  New  School 
Churches.  What  was  done  then  may  be  repeated  again.  A 
recommendation^  looking  to  some  uniformity  of  ecclesiastical 
supervision,  is  all  which  the  Committee  felt  to  be  within  their 
province  or  that  of  the  Assembly  ;  except  that  those  Seminaries, 
now  belonging  to  either  branch  of  the  Church,  should  have  every 
guarantee  and  protection  for  their  chartered  rights  which  they 
might  desire. 

A  new  Article,  here  designated  as  the  Tenth,  has  been  intro- 
duced, in  which  some  concession  has  been  made  on  both  sides, 
designed  to  reconcile  conflicting  claims  and  usages.  Many 
churches  and  Presbyteries,  in  both  Assemblies,  claim  the  right, 


16 

It  is  shown,  then,  how,  though  there  has  been  much  division 
among  Presbyterians,  there  has  been  a  strong  tendency  towards 
union,  as  shown  in  the  union  of  Burghers  and  Anti-Burghers, 
Covenanters  and  Seceders,  of  the  Synods  of  New  York  and 
Philadelphia,  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  Nova  Scotia  and  the 
Seceders.  To  these  might  now  be  added,  union  in  the  Austra- 
lian Colonies  ;  union  in  Canada  ;  union  in  New  Zealand  ;  union 
in  Queensland  ;  union  in  South  Australia  ;  union  in  New  South 
Wales.  Here  we  seem  to  have  found  the  law  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  ;  the  waiving  of  non-essentials  to  secure  united 
action  on  fundamental  principles.  There  is  permitted  to  be 
diversity  of  sentiment  where  unsoundness  in  faith,  according  to 
the  recognized  standards,  does  not  exist,  while  there  is  an  agree- 
ment to  abstain  from  agitating  the  questions  which  occasioned 
separation,  or  led  to  distinct  organizations. 

These  principles  will  not  lose  their  application,  though  the 
basis  of  union  between  the  two  branches  of  the  Church  may  re- 
lax the  former  strictness  on  minor  points  ;  for  there  may  have 
been  good  reasons  for  this  relaxation,  and  of  that  the  Pres- 
byteries, Synods  and  G-eneral  Assemblies  are  the  constitutional 
judges.  Such  proceedings  cannot  be  condemned  as  unlawful 
without  deciding  that  there  can  be  no  unions  of  the  Church 
without  a  forfeiture  of  civil  rights,  and  that  the  law  well-nigh 
compels  the  perpetuation  of  divisions. 

This  enlightened  judgment  seems  to  us  to  require  that  we 
should  answer  the  inquiry  whether  a  Church  forfeits  its  property 
by  adopting  the  plan  of  re-union  in  the  negative.  On  the  same 
ground,  there  can  be  no  forfeiture  of  the  property  which  either 
General  Assembly  holds  as  proprietor,  either  directly,  or  by 
means  of  the  corporations  described  in  the  outset  of  this  report. 

It  may  perhaps  be  suggested  that  the  corporations  referred 
to  would  no  longer  be  under  the  control  of  the  particular  Assem- 
bly pointed  out  in  the  Act  of  Incorporation,  when  the  two  As- 
semblies became  merged  into  one.  The  answer  is,  that  the 
legislature  must  be  presumed  to  be  cognizant  of  that  law  of  the 
Church  which  permits  union,  and  therefore  that  it  has  employed 
words  in  granting  these  charters  which  are  to  have  the  liberal 


17 

and  comprehensive  interpretation  that  the  principles  already 
laid  down  require. 

The  objection  will  probably  be  made,  in  another  form,  that 
there  is  a  change  of  identity  by  reason  of  the  union.  It  may  be 
said  that  neither  of  the  two  bodies  is  the  same  as  before,  but 
that  there  is  a  composite  body  partaking  of  the  nature  of  both, 
but  in  no  proper  sense  identical  with  either.  It  will  then  be 
argued  that  a  loss  of  identity  involves  a  forfeiture  of  property, 
because  the  trust  reposed  by  the  donors  of  funds  can  no  longer 
be  administered  by  the  organ  which  they  selected. 

This  objection  is  answered  in  the  case  already  noticed. 
Though  there  may  be  no  formal  literal  identity,  yet  each  body 
substantially  exists  in  the  new  organization.  What  we  must 
regard  is  the  identity  of  social  life,  which  admits  of  a  mutual 
giving  and  reception  of  moral  and  mental  influences,  and  a  cor- 
responding social  growth.  Social  institutions  must  grow  with 
society,  adapt  themselves  to  its  intelligence  and  wants,  to  times 
and  circumstances.  They  thus  change  and  remain  the  same  ;, 
when  they  lose  this  power  of  adaptation,  they  wither  and  decay^ 
pp.  27,  28,  29. 

We  do  not  exj)ress  any  opinion  upon  the  effect  of  a  change 
by  either  body  in  one  or  more  of  its  fundamental  principles  of 
faith.  No  opinion  of  any  value  could  be  given  on  such  a  sup- 
position, without  an  exact  statement  of  the  proposed  change. 
We  have  assumed  that  the  re-union  is  to  take  place  upon  the 
doctrines  acknowledged  by  both  parties  before  the  disruption. 

These  views  seem  to  be  sustained  by  decisions  in  the  cases 
of  Gibson  v.  Armstrong,  7  B.  Monroe,  481 ;  Den  v.  Pilling, 
4  Zabriskie,  653  ;  2  Richardson's  Equity,  215 ;  Attorney-G-eneral 
V.  Gould,  2  Law  Reporter,  495  ;  Attorney-General  v.  Pearson, 
3  Merivale,  400. 

Second. — It  only  remains  to  consider  the  effect  of  the  pro- 
posed reunion  where  specific  obHgations  are  imposed  upon  the 
ownership  of  the  property. 

It  is  material  to  inquire  as  to  the  intent  of  the  grantor  of 
the  fund.     There  is  no  pretence  that  the  grantors  or  donors,  all 


18 

of  whom  belong  to  the  so-called  New  School  Church,  suppose 
that  there  is  any  material  difference  in  respect  to  faith,  or  form 
of  government  between  the  two  branches.  What  evidence  there 
is,  is  all  the  other  way. 

Thus,  the  charters  which  mark  out  with  the  greatest  preci- 
sion their  separate  relation  to  the  New  School  assert,  that  "  the 
faith  and  government  of  the  said  church  shall  conform  to  the 
faith  and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  the  said  church  shall  be  connected  with 
and  deemed  to  be  under  the  care  of  that  branch  of  the  church" 
— known  as  the  New  School.  Thq  plain  intention  is  to  require 
the  faith  and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  gene- 
eral,  but  the  care  and  connection  of  a  particular  branch  of  it. 
It  seems  to  us,  that  the  meaning  of  all  these  special  clauses  is, 
to  provide  for  a  particular  relation  and  connection  so  long  as  the 
New  School  branch  maintains  its  separate  existence,  but  there 
is  no  evidence  of  intention  to  perpetuate  separation,  alienation, 
and  division.  Every  donor  must  be  presumed  to  have  made  his 
gift  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  law  of  the  particular  church  as 
modified  by  the  legislation  of  the  constituted  bodies.  Presbyte- 
ries, Synods,  and  Assemblies,  to  which  the  church  belongs.  This 
law  leads  to  re-union,  as  we  have  before  seen.  The  gift  must 
then  have  been  made  with  the  probability  of  union  foreseen. 
The  donor's  intention  fully  expanded  really  is  this  :  "  While  the 
New  School  and  Old  School  remain  separate,  my  property  must 
be  devoted  to  the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  the  New  School. 
I  am  aware  of  the  legislative  power  of  the  New  School  by  its 
assemblies  to  coalesce  and  unite  with  the  Old  School.  I  am 
content  to  have  that  power  exercised." 

What  is  this  but  saying  that  a  person  intends  that  which  is 
necessarily  implied  as  well  as  that  which  is  expressed  ? 

We  are  therefore  of  opinion  that  there  is  substantially  no 
difference  between  the  two  questions  which,  for  the  sake  of  exam- 
ination, have  been  considered  separately,  and  that  the  answer  of 
the  one  is  the  solution  of  the  other. 

These  views  embrace  in  principle  the  special  cases  of  gifts 


19 

and  conveyances  to  the  "  Presbj^tcrian  House,"  particular  clauses 
in  charters,  and  devises,  as  far  as  laid  before  us. 

After  this  report  was  written,  some  deeds  of  trust  were  ex- 
hibited to  us,  which  respected  the  title  to  property  connected 
with  the  Princeton  Theological  Seminar}^  Some  of  these  in- 
struments we  unhesitatingly  consider  to  be  governed  by  the 
principles  that  we  have  recognized.  Others  have  special  clauses 
entering  into  considerable  detail,  the  bearing  of  which  we  have 
not  had  an  opportunity  to  consider.  We  do  not  intend  to  express 
any  doubt  upon  these  clauses,  but  simply  give  no  opinion.  We 
concede  that  a  donor  might  cumber  his  gift  to  one  of  these 
branches  of  the  church  with  such  limitations,  conditions,  or  pro- 
visos, as  to  make  it  questionable  whether  re-union  would  not 
be  a  ground  of  forfeiture.  Perhaps  he  might  provide  that  his 
gift  to  one  branch  should  be  void  in  case  of  re-union,  though  it 
would  admit  of  consideration  whether  a  trust  for  the  mere  per- 
petuation of  division  and  separation  would  accord  with  sound 
views  of  public  policy. 

However  this  may  be,  we  desire  to  be  understood  as  not  ex- 
pressing any  opinion  upon  any  special  trusts  not  embraced 
within  the  instances  set  forth  in  the  former  part  of  this  report. 
Should  our  opinion  hereafter  be  desired  upon  the  Princeton 
trusts,  or  others  of  a  special  nature,  we  shall  be  pleased  to  give 
it. 

On  the  whole,  we  are  of  opinion  that  there  are  no  obstacles 
to  re-union  growing  out  of  the  relations  of  that  subject  to  prop- 
erty so  far  as  those  relations  have  been  brought  to  our  notice, 
and  so  report  to  your  Honorable  Body. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

DANIEL  HAII^ES, 
THEODORE  W.  DWIGHT. 


KEPOKT 


The  undersigned  committee,  appointed  on  behalf  of  the  Old 
School  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  to  investi- 
gate the  questions  of  property  and  vested  rights,  which  may 
arise  from  a  reunion  with  the  New  School  Presbyterian  body, 
have  partially  discharged  the  duty  assigned  to  them.  They  met 
in  conference  the  Hon.  Daniel  Haines,  of  New  Jersey,  and  the 
Hon.  Theodore  W.  Dwight,  of  New  York,  the  committee  ap- 
pointed on  behalf  of  the  New  School  General  Assembly,  and 
united  with  them  in  the  investigation  of  these  questions.  The 
latter  gentlemen  have  embodied  their  views  in  a  report  which 
has  been  submitted  for  our  concurrence.  It  evinces  much  re- 
search and  discrimination,  and  will  be  read  with  interest  by 
those  who  appreciate  the  importance  of  the  subject.  In  some 
of  the  oj)inions  there  expressed  we  are  unable  to  concur.  To 
others  we  give  our  entire  assent. 

1.  In  respect  to  property  heretofore  owned  or  controlled  by 
the  Neiv  ScJiool  General  Assembly,  or  any  of  the  instrumentali- 
ties or  churches  under  its  care,  the  investigations  of  Messrs. 
Haines  and  Dwight  have  been  very  thorough,  and  we  see  no 
reason  to  question  the  soundness  of  their  conclusion,  that  this 
property  will  not  be  affected  by  the  proposed  reunion. 

2.  We  agree  with  them  also  in  the  opinion  that  church 
property  which  was  held  before  the  division  in  1838,  will  not  be 
affected  in  its  legal  relations  if  the  two  branches  of  the  church 
should  unite.  That  property  wiU  stand  where  it  would  have 
stood  if  the  division  had  not  taken  place. 

3.  We  agree  with  them  also  in  holding  that  property  acquired 


21 

since  the  division  by  either  branch  of  the  church,  by  deed  or 
will,  by  gift  or  purchase,  which  has  not  been  clothed  with  a 
special  trust,  placing  it  under  the  exclusive  control  of  one  branch, 
as  distinguished  from  the  other,  will  not  be  affected  if  the  two 
branches  should  now  unite. 

4.  Where  such  trusts  do  exist  each  case  must  be  decided  on 
its  own  special  circumstances.  The  effect  upon  the  property  of 
a  union  with  any  other  body  will  dejiend  on  the  nature  of  the 
conditions  imposed  by  the  grantor  or  donor,  or  prescribed  in  acts 
of  incorporation.  The  condition  of  much  of  the  property  con- 
nected with  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Princeton  will  form  a 
good  illustration  of  this  point.  The  deeds  for  this  property  were 
laid  before  us  and  were  fully  investigated.  Its  importance  to  the 
Old  School  body  is  such  that  we  do  not  feel  justified  in  withhold- 
ing our  opinions  respecting  it. 

On  the  5th  of  May,  1843,  James  Lenox,  Esq.,  conveyed  to 
the  Trustees  of  the  Seminary  the  ground  now  occupied  by  the 
Library  and  the  house  of  one  of  its  professors.  He  accompanied, 
the  grant  with  this  condition,  which  for  convenience  we  have 
divided  into  two  sections  :  (1.)  "  Provided  always,  nevertheless, 
and  upon  this  condition,  that  if  at  any  time  or  times  hereafter, 
the  said  parties  of  the  second  part  [that  is  the  Trustees  of  the 
Seminary]  shall  pass  from  under  the  supervision  and  control  of 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  now  commonly  hioivn  and  distinguished  as 
the  Old  School  General  Assembly,  and  its  successors,  or  (2,)  if 
at  any  time  or  times  hereafter,  the  leading  doctrines  declared  in 
the  confession  of  faith  and  catechisms  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
such  as  the  doctrine  of  universal  and  total  depravity,  the  doc- 
trine of  election,  the  doctrine  of  the  atonement,  the  doctrine  of 
the  imputation  of  Adam's  sin  to  all  his  posterity,  and  of  the 
imputation  of  Christ's  righteousness  to  all  his  people  for  their 
justification,  the  doctrine  of  human  inability,  and  the  doctrine 
of  the  necessity  of  the  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  re- 
generation, conversion  and  sanctification  of  sinners,  as  these  doc- 
trines are  now  understood  and  explained  by  the  aforesaid  Old 
School  General  Assembly,  shall  cease  to  be  taught  and  incul- 


22 

cated  in  the  said  Seminary,  then,  and  in  either  such  case,  the 
grant  and  conveyance  hereby  made  shall  cease  and  become  null 
and  void,  and  the  said  premises  shall  thereupon  revert  to  the  said 
party  of  the  first  part,  his  heirs,  or  assigns,  as  in  his  first  and 
former  estate." 

The  second  branch  of  this  condition  would  probably  not  be 
violated  in  the  eye  of  the  law  until  the  doctrines  there  speci- 
fied shall  cease  to  be  taught  in  the  Seminary.  On  some  of  these 
doctrines  it  is  in  vain  to  deny  that  the  two  branches  of  the 
church  are  wide  apart ;  and  while  we  agree  with  our  brethren 
that  we  cannot,  as  lawyers,  undertake  to  examine  and  pronounce 
upon  the  effect  of  these  differences  of  opinion,  we  cannot  shut 
our  eyes  to  the  fact  so  well  known  to  theologians  on  both  sides, 
that  such  differences  do  exist.  Nor  can  we  hesitate  to  point 
attention  to  the  peril  which  may  ensue  to  this  property  and  to 
other  property  similarly  situated,  if  in  consequence  of  the  terms 
of  a  union  with  any  other  body,  the  doctrines  specified  in  this 
deed,  as  understood  and  explained  by  the  aforesaid  Old  School 
General  Assembly,  may  cease  to  be  taught  in  the  institutions 
thus  endowed. 

There  is  less  difficulty  in  determining  the  results  which  must 
flow  from  violating  the  first  branch  of  the  condition  imposed  by 
Mr.  Lenox,  viz  :  if  the  Trustees  of  the  Seminary  shall  pass  from 
under  the  supervision  and  control  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  now 
commonly  known  and  distinguished  as  the  Old  School  General 
Assembly,  and  its  successors.  In  that  event  the  property  is  to 
revert'  to  himself  and  his  heirs.  The  trustees  are,  by  the  express 
terms  of  the  deed,  to  be  under  the  supervision  and  control  of  the 
Old  School  General  Assembly  as  distinguished  from  any  other  ; 
in  other  words,  from  the  New  School  General  Assembly.  We 
are  of  opinion  that  if  these  trustees  should  pass  from  the  super- 
vision and  control  of  the  former  Assembly,  as  distinguished  from 
the  latter,  or  if  they  should  be  controlled  and  supervised  by  an 
Assembly  known  by  another  name,  or  constituted  differently 
from  the  Assembly  thus  specially  described  by  Mr.  Lenox,  the 
valuable  property  conveyed  by  his  deed  will  be  placed  in  jeopardy. 


23 

On  the  25tli  of  April,  1862,  Robert  L.  and  Alexander  Stewart 
conveyed  to  the  Trustees  of  this  Seminary  $50,000  in  bonds  of 
the  Federal  Government,  and  inserted  in  their  deed  the  same 
condition  in  substance  which  has  been  quoted  from  that  of  Mr. 
Lenox,  except  that  in  the  event  of  a  breach  of  the  condition  the 
money  is  to  become  the  property  of  the  American  Bible  Society. 
They  had  previously  presented  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Seminaiy 
the  library  of  the  late  Dr.  Addison  Alexander  on  nearly  the  same 
terms,  except  that  on  the  violation  of  that  trust  the  library  is 
to  become  the  property  of  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of  New 
Jersey.  The  views  which  we  have  expressed,  respecting  the 
gift  of  Mr.  Lenox,  will  apply  to  the  gifts  of  the  brothers  Stewart. 

This  is  as  far  as  we  have  proceeded  in  our  investigations. 
There  may  be  property  connected  with  the  other  institutions  of 
the  church,  or  belonging  to  individual  church  corporations,  in 
the  grant  of  which  other  special  trusts  were  imposed.  We  have 
not  been  supplied  with  the  materials  for  forming  a  judgment 
respecting  them.  In  due  time,  if  they  are  laid  before  us,  we  are 
willing  to  give  them  our  attention. 

Henry  W.  Green, 

Trenton,  K  J. 
William  A.  Porter, 

Philadelphia. 

May  5th,  1868. 


APPENDIX 


Schedule  of  documents  submitted  to  the  Committee  of  the 
General  Assemblies,  on  vested  rights,  &c. 

1.  The  charter  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House," 
Approved  2i8t  granted  on  the  recommendation  of  "  The  General 
April,  1865.  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States,"  which  held  its  sessions  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
on  Washington  Square,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  May, 
1854. 

The  charter  provides  : 

(1.)  That  the  Trustees  therein  named  shall  hold  their  office 
till  the  first  day  of  June,  1865,  and  until  their  successors  are 
duly  qualified  to  take  their  places,  who  shall  be  chosen  by  the 
said  Assembly  and  their  successors. 

(2.)  The  said  Trustees  are  authorized  "  to  purchase,  receive, 
take,  and  hold  real  and  personal  estate,"  and  all  kinds  of  prop- 
erty and  estate  which  may  be  devised,  or  bequeathed,  or  given 
to  them,  or  to  the  said  Assemhiy  for  them,  and  the  same  "  to  sell, 
alien,  demise,  and  convey." 

(3.)  They  are  to  be  subject  to  the  direction  of  said  Assembly, 
and  to  have  also  power  to  manage  all  funds,  property,  and  ef- 
fects committed  to  their  care  by  gift,  purchase,  bequest,  or 
otherwise,  and  to  execute  any  trusts  confided  to  them  by  the 
said  General  Assembly  or  their  successors,  in  such  manner  as 
shall  be  deemed  most  advantageous,  and  not  contrary  to  law  or 
the  intention  of  the  donor  or  testa.tor. 

2.  Declaration  of  Trust  by  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian 


25 

House  to  "  The  Presbyterian  Publication  Committee,"  declaring 
that  under  the  direction  of  the  said  Assembly  they  hold  certain 
premises,  viz. :  Nos.  1334  and  1336  Chestnut  Street,  Philadel- 
phia, in  trust  for  "  The  Presbyterian  Publication  Committee," 
appointed  by  the  said  Assembly,  dated  April  1,  1864. 

3.  Deed  from  Samuel  North  and  wife  to  the  Trustees  of  the 
Presbyterian  House,  dated  December  7,  1863,  conveying  a  lot 
of  ground  and  church  edifice  thereon,  lying  on  south  southwark 
side  of  German  Street,  between  2d  and  3d  streets,  Church. 
Philadelphia.  In  trust  for  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  and 
congregation  of  Southwark,  in  County  of  Philadelphia,  so  long 
as  said  church  and  congregation  shall  continue  in  connection  with 
a  Presbytery  in  union  with  the  General  Assembly  which  met  in 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1863,  and  no  longer  ;  with 
power  reserved  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House  to  re- 
enter in  case  of  failure  to  comply  with  the  conditions. 

4.  Deed  from  Matthias  W.  Baldioin  and  wife  to  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  Presbyterian  House,  dated  Dec.  5,  1864,  conveying 
the  church  edifice  and  lot  of  ground  on  southwest  corner  of 
Christian  and  18th  streets,  Philadelphia.  In  trust  Tabor  Pr. 
for  the  Tabor  Presbyterian  Church,  so  long  as  the  church. 
said  church  shall  continue  in  connection  with  that  branch  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  A.,  the  General  Assembly  of  which 
last  convened  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  and  no  longer. 

5.  Deed  from  Alexander  Whilldin  and  wife,  by  their  at- 
torneys in  fact,  to  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Presbyterian  House," 
dated  Oct.  22,  1866,  conveying  a  lot  of  ground  and  stone  chapel 
on  northeast  corner  of  Broad  and  Oxford  Streets,  in  the  20th 
ward  of  Philadelphia,  which  had  been  purchased  with  the  con- 
tributions of  the  said  Alexander  Whilldin  and  others,  for  the 
purpose  of  erecting  thereon  a  church  edifice  for  the  religious  uses 
and  purposes  of  a  church  and  congregation  in  ecclesiastical  con- 
nection  with,  and  under  the  care  of  that  General  Assembly 
which  met  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Philadelphia, 


26 

in  May,  1863,     In  trust  for  a  churcli  and  congregation  in  that 
connection,  witli  power  of  reentry,  &c. 

6.  Deed  from  Clayton  &  Toivnsend,  executors  of  Matthias 
W.  Baldwin,  to  the  Trustees  of  Presbyterian  House,  dated  No- 
vember 1,  1866,  conveying  a  lot  and  stone  chapel  in  the  23d 
ward  of  Philadelphia.  In  trust  for  the  Herman  Presbyterian 
Church,  so  long  as  they  shall  remain  in  ecclesiastical  connection 
with,  and  under  the  care  of  that  General  Assembly  which  as- 
sembled in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Philadelphia,  in 
May,  1863. 

7.  fVill  of  Mary  Cornell,  dated  13th  of  June,  1849,  proved 
28th  of  March,  1861,  devises  all  the  residue  of  her  estate,  real 

Wharton  St.  ^ud  pcisoual,  to  hcr  cxccutors,  in  trust,  to  convert 
Church.  j^  jjj^Q  money,  and  to  apply  the  same  to  the  pur- 
chase of  a  lot,  or  lots,  and  the  erection  of  a  suitable  house  for 
public  worship  ;  "  the  said  house  and  lot  to  be  forever  held  and 
used  by  a  church  and  congregation  which  shall  be  in  connection 
with  that  portion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  now  designated 
in  common  parlance  as  the  New  School." 

Under  this  will  a  lot  was  purchased  at  corner  of  9th  and 
Wharton  streets,  Philadelphia,  and  a  deed,  conveying  the  same 
in  fee  to  the  corporation,  subject  to  trusts,  provisions,  and  lim- 
itations of  the  will. 

See  deed  when  it  shall  be  furnished. 

8.  Charter  and  By-Laws   of  the   "  The    Oxford  Preshy- 
oxford  Pr.       terian  Church,  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,"  organ- 

church.  ized  January,  1857,  enrolled  March  11,  1857. 
Art.  II.  provides  that  the  faith  and  government  of  the  said 
church  shall  conform  to  the  faith  and  government  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  of  America  ;  and  the 
said  church  shall  be  connected  with  and  deemed  to  be  under  the 
care  of  that  General  Assembly  which  assembled  in  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  in  the  month 
of  May,  A.  D.,  1863." 


27 

9.  Charter  of  the  Southtvestern  Preshjterian  Church,  in  the 
City  of  Pbiladelpliia,  1865.  south-wcstcm 

I'r.  Churcb. 

Art.  II.  The  faith  and  government  of  the  said  church  shall 
conform  to  the  faith  and  government  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  the  U.  S.  A. :  "  and  the  said  church  shall  be  connected  with, 
and  deemed  to  be  under  the  care  of  that  General  Assembly 
which  assembled  in  the  Lafayette  Avenue  Presbyterian  Churchy 
in  the  City  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  on  18th  of  May,  1865  ;  and  the 
real  estate  now  owned,  or  which  hereafter  may  be  owned,  by  this 
corporation,  shall  be  forever  held  and  used  by  a  church  and  con- 
gregation which  shall  be  connected  with,  and  under  the  care  of 
the  said  General  Assembly." 

10.  Declaration  of  trust  by  Josiah  Gray  and  John  McFale, 
dated  1859,  acknowledged  18th  October,  1859,  by  which  they 
declared  that  they  held  a  certain  lot  of  ground  at  northeast 
corner  of  20th  and  Fitzwater  streets,  Philadelphia,  in  trust 
only  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  Southwestern  Presbyterian 
Church  and  congregation,  in  connection  with  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  U.  S.  A,,  commonly 
called  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church. 

Note. — This  church  is  said  to  have  passed  into  the  connection  of  the 
New  School  Assembly,  with  the  consent  of  the  congregation  and  of  the 
Old  School  Presbytery,  and  that  the  charter  before-mentioned  was  then 
obtained. 

11.  Charter  of  ^'' The  Wharton  Street  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  the  City  of  Philadelphia." 

Art.  II.  is  in  language  similar  to  that  of  the  Southwestern 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  provides  for  the  same  ecclesiastical 
connection. 

12.  Charter  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  Dis- 
trict of  Southwark,  and  County  of  Philadelphia,  organized  in 
1820. 

13.  Charter   of  '''The  Permanent   Committee   on  Foreign 


28 

Missions  of  tlie  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  the  United  States  of  America." 

Sec.  1.  Whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  superintend  the  whole 
cause  of  Foreign  Missions  of  the  said  General  Assembly  (that 
which  met  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  in  May,  1864),  and  as  the  said 
General  Assembly  may  from  time  to  time  direct.  Also  to  re- 
ceive, take  charge  of,  and  disburse  any  property  or  funds  which 
may  be  intrusted  to  the  said  Assembly  or  said  Permanent  Com- 
mittee, for  missionary  jrarposes. 

Sec.  2.  The  successors  of  the  Trustees  to  be  elected  by  the 
said  General  Assembly  in  such  time  and  manner  as  the  said 
Assembly  may  direct  or  appoint.  Passed  by  the  Legislature  of 
N.  Y.,  April  17,  1865.  ' 

14.  Charter  of  "  The  Presbyterian  Committee  of  Home 
Missions." 

(Designated  for  the  purpose  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  which  met  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  in  May, 
1861.) 

Whose  duty  it  is  to  assist  in  sustaining  feeble  churches,  &c., 
as  the  General  Assembly  may  from  time  to  time  direct. 

The  successors  of  the  Trustees  to  be  elected  at  such  time, 
and  in  such  manner,  as  the  said  General  Assembly  shall  direct 
and  appoint. 

15.  Charter  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Church-Erection  Fund 
New  York,  31st  of  ^^^  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
of  March,  1855.    Jq  ^]^e  United  States  of  America." 

(Designated  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  which  met  in  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1854.) 

For  the  purpose  of  aiding  feeble  congregations  in  connection 
with  the  said  General  Assembly. 

Successors  to  be  appointed  at  such  time,  and  in  such  man- 
ner, as  the  said  Assembly  shall  direct. 

16.  Education  Manual  containing  the  Charter  of  "  The  Per- 
manent Committee  on  Education  for  the  Ministry  of  the  Gen- 


29 

eral  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S.  A." 
Passed  in  New  York,  April  17,  1858. 

(The  Trustees  were  designated  by  the  General  Assembly 
which  met  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  May,  1857.) 

Their  duty  is,  to  superintend  the  whole  cause  of  education  in 
behalf  of  the  said  General  Assembly,  and  as  it  may  direct. 

The  Trustees  to  be  displaced  and  succeeded  by  others  to  be 
elected  in  such  time  and  manner  as  the  said  Assembly  shall 
direct. 

17.  Charter  of  "  The  Trustees  of  the  Board  of  Education  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United    States  of 
America." 

Successors  to  be  elected  by  the  Board  of  Education  at  such 
times,  and  in  such  manner,  as  shall  be  provided  by  the  said  Gen- 
eral Assembly.     Passed  18th  Feb.,  1841. 

18.  By-Laivs  of  the  Presbyterian  Board  of  Education,  with 
renewed  Charter  of  13th  Feb.,  1847. 

19.  Reports  of  Joint  Committee  of  the  two  General  Assem- 
blies of  1866,  and  of  the  Special  Committee  of  the  0.  S.  As- 
sembly of  1867. 

20.  Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  (N.  S.)  of  1859. 

21.  ReppH  of  Committee  on  Legal  Rights,  &c.,  of  General 
Assembly  (N.  S.),  1854. 


MINUTES 

OF   THE 

Enteral  g^ssemblg 

OF   THE 

PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH 

IN    THE 

ITniteh  §UUb  of  IniFrifa, 

AT   ITS 

ADJOURNED  MEETING 

IN  THE  CITY  OF  PITTSBUKGH,  PA. 
NOVEMBER,  A.  D.  1869. 


Printed  by  Alfred  Martien, 
21  Soulh  Seventh  Street,  Philadelphia 


MINUTES,  &c. 


PITTSBURGH,  Nov.  10,  1809. 
The  Assembly  met,  accordins:  to  adjournment  in  June  last,  in  the  First 
Presbyterian   Church   in   Pitt.-^burgh,  Pa.,  at  11   o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  was 
opened  with  prayer  by  the  Moderator. 

The  roll  was  called.     The  following  Commissioners  were  present  during 
the  sessions : 

I.  SYNOD  OF  ALBANY. 


PRESBYTERIES. 

MINISTERS. 

RULING  ELDERS. 

Albany^ 

S.  Mattoon. 

Geori^e  Ilarkness, 

Archibald  McClure,  Jr. 

Londonderry^ 

E.  M.  Kellogg, 

Rei  Hills. 

J.  B.  Dunn, 

H.  Norwell. 

Mohawk, 

A.  K.  Strong. 

Siam. 

Troy, 

A.  M.  Beveridge, 

Peter  Schoonmaker. 

II.  SYNOD  OF  ALLEGHENY. 

Allegheny, 

S.  A.  Hughes, 

A.  D.  Weir. 

Allei/heny  City, 

David  P.  Lowary, 

John  Potter. 

James  M   Shields, 

D.  S.  Marquis. 

Beaver, 

Bonjamin  C.  Critchlow, 

William  M.  Francis. 

Erie, 

W.  M.  Robinson, 

R.  Lamberton. 

IIL  SYNOD  OF  ATLANTIC. 

Atlantic, 

H.  H.  Hunter. 

Catawba, 

S.  S.  Murkland. 

Knox, 

IV.  SYNOD  OF  BALTIMORE. 

Baltimore, 

A.  B.  Cross, 

Benjamin  Silver. 

Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D. 

William  J.  Dickey. 

Carlisle, 

A.  D.  Mitchell, 

William  G.  Reed. 

James  Harper,  D.  D. 

E.  B.  Hall. 

Concord. 

Lewes. 

Potomac, 

A.  A.  E.  Taylor. 

Rio  Janeiro. 

V.  SYNOD  OF  BUFFALO. 

Buffalo  City, 

Alexander  McLean, 

John  B.  Skinner. 

Genesee  River, 

R.  W.  McCormick, 

E.  A.  Miller. 

0(/densburg, 

James  Gardner. 

Rochester  City, 

A.  G.  Hall,  D.  D. 

VL  SYNOD  OF  CHICAGO. 

Bureau, 

T.  R.  Johnson. 

Chicago, 

Willis  Lord,  D.  D. 

Abel  Hoffman. 

II.  B.  Thayer, 
Alex.  H.  Lackey. 

Horatio  G.  Spafford. 

Rock  River, 

James  Snyder. 

Schuyler, 

J.  A.  Piper, 

William  McLean. 

Warren, 

R.  C.  Matthews, 

J.  H.  Wilson. 

1142 


MINUTES  OF  THE 


[Supp. 


XXI.  SYNOD  OF  PHILADELPHIA. 


PRESBYTERIES. 

MINISTERS, 

RULING  ELDERS. 

Donegal, 

Calvin  ^Y.  Stewart, 

D.  W.  Patterson. 

Hwiiingdon, 

N.  G.  White, 

J.  R.  Lowrie. 

Robert  Ilamill,  D.D. 

Joseph  Pomeroy. 

New  Castle, 

John  S.  Gilmer. 

J.  Ramsay. 
John  A.  Park. 

Northumberland, 

Abram  D.  Hawn, 
Joseph  Stevens. 

M.  C.  Grier. 

Philadelphia, 

Wm.  Blackwood,  D.  D. 

John  McArthur. 

John  B.  ISIeOorkell, 

Morris  Patterson. 

Philad.  Central, 

Geo.  W.  Miis^rave,  D.  D. 
Wm.  0.  Johnstone. 

J.  A.  Gardner. 

Philad.  Second, 

J.  II.  M.  Knox,  D.  D. 

Robert  McDowell. 

J.  R.  Eckard,  D.  D. 

E.  T.  Fox. 

Shanghai. 

XXII.  SYNOD  OF  PITTSBURGH. 

Blairsville, 

J.  W.  W^alker, 

Wm.  MoCurdy. 

Clarion, 

J.  S.  Elder, 

Samuel  Craig. 

Ohio, 

John  G'llespie, 

Robert  Davis. 

M.  W.  Jacobus,  D.  D. 

Hugh  Lee. 

Redstone, 

John  McClintock, 

E.  F.  Houseman. 

Saltsburgf 

S.  P.  Bollman, 

Wm   Mcllwain. 

T.  D.  Ewing, 

James  E.  Brown. 

XXIII.   SYNOD  OF  ST 

.  PAUL. 

Chippewa, 

J.  Irwin  Smith. 

St.  Paid, 

Horatio  P.  Van  Cleve 

Southern  Minnesota,     D.  C.  L^-on. 

XXIV.  SYNOD  OF  SANDUSKY. 

Findlay, 

II.  R.  Peairs, 

Matthew  H.  McCulloi 

Maumee, 

D.  K.  Richardson. 

Michigan, 

R.  S.  Goodman, 

David  McCormick. 

Western  Reserve, 

AVm.  B.  Marsh. 

XXV.  SYNOD  OF  SOUTHERN  IOWA. 

Des  Moines, 

J.  M.  Batchelder. 

Fairjield, 

J.  L.  McNeil 

Allen  Wilson. 

loioa, 

J.  C.  McClintock, 

J.  K.  Brice. 

Missouri  River, 

John  T.  Baird. 

XXVI.  SYNOD  OF  WHEELING. 

New  Lisbon, 

Robert  Hays, 

John  Falconer. 

Steubeuville, 

M.  A.  Parkinson, 

Thomas  Hunt. 

J.  B.  Dickey, 

Abram  Shaffer. 

St.  Clairsville, 

George  McDonald, 

Joshua  AV.  Keyser. 
R  M.  Campbell. 

Washington, 

Smith  F.  Grier, 

John  C.  Ilervey. 

John  Moffat, 

James  J.  Patterson. 

West  Virginia, 

John  P.  Joues. 

XXVII.  SYNOD  OF  WISCONSIN. 

Bane, 

J.  W.  Dinsmore. 

Milwaukee, 

James  II.  Barnard. 

Winnebago, 

J.  C.  Kelly, 

Robert  Shiells. 

1SG9.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1143 

The  Assembly  spent  half  an  hour  in  devoitional  exercises. 

Rev.  W.  E.  Schcnek,  D.  D.,  Permanent  Clerk,  from  the  Committee  on 
Commissions,  reported  that  several  gentlemen  were  present  with  commis- 
sions as  alternates,  the  principals  being  absent.  On  motion  of  Dr.  Mus- 
grave,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  all  alternates  presenting  regular  commissions  be  enrolled, 
the  principals  being  absent.  Mr.  Henry  Day  was  requested  to  communi- 
cate this  action  to  the  Assembly  of  the  other  ]Jranch,  now  sitting  in  the 
Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  this  city,  which  he  did. 

The  alternates  present  were  enrolled  as  follows  : — Rev.  W.  A.  Scott, 
D.  D.,  from  the  Presbytery  of  New  York;  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Ilanna,  from 
the  Presbytery  of  Oregon;  Rev.  A.  B.  Cross,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Bal- 
timore; Ruling  Elder  William  Carpenter,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Newton. 

The  Committee  on  Commissions  also  reported  that  several  defective  com- 
missions had  been  placed  in  their  hands,  and  said  couimissions  were,  on 
motion,  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Elections. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Musgrave,  it  was 

Resolved^  That  all  matters  requiring  the  concurrent  action  of  the  two 
General  Assemblies  shall  be  referred  to  the  Committee  of  Conference  to 
report  to  the  Assembly. 

Ruling  Elder  Drake  presented  the  report  of  the  Special  Committee, 
appointed  in  May  last,  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  the  Theological  Sexnin- 
ary  of  the  Northwest.     The  report  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Select  Committee,  to  which  was  referred  the  Majority  and  Minor- 
ity Reports  of  the  Assembly's  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries,  in 
regard  to  the  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Northwest,  at  Chicago,  with 
instructions  to  "  consider  all  the  matters  therein  set  forth,  and  investigate 
the  same,  and  all  other  matters  of  controversy,  in  regard  to  said  Seminary, 
and  report  upon  the  same  at  the  adjourned  session  of  this  General  Assem- 
bly, in  November,"  has  performed  the  duty  of  investigation  devolved 
upon  it,  and  begs  leave  to  submit  to  the  General  Assembly  the  follow- 
ing Report : 

On  the  18th  of  September  last,  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  gave 
public  notice,  in  the  Preshyterian,  at  Philadelphia,  that  the  Committee 
would  "meet  at  the  Tremont  House,  in  Chicago,  on  Monday,  October  25th, 
1869,  at  10  o'clock,  a.  m.,  when  and  where  all  parties  concerned  would  be 
heard,"  and  a  request  was  subjoined  to  this  notice  for  its  publication  by 
the  PreshyUr,  Freshyterian  Banner^  and  Western  Frediyterian,  which 
request  was  understood  to  have  been  complied  with  by  those  papers. 

In  pursuance  of  this  notice,  the  Committee  convened  at  the  time  and 
place  designated,  all  the  members  being  present,  and  proceeded  with  the 
investigation;  nine  days  being  occupied  therewith,  and  all  parties  con- 
cerned being  fully  heard. 

After  having  heard  all  the  evidence  in  the  case,  the  Committee  deter- 
mined it  to  be  its  duty  to  make  an  effort  to  secure  an  amicable  adjustment 
of  the  difficulty.  The  Committee  therefore  appointed  two  of  its  members 
(Drs.  Musgraveand  Backus)  to  undertake  this  delicate  duty.  The  efibrt,  the 
Committee  is  happy  to  say,  proved  successful,  by  the  great  mercy  of  our  Lord, 
and  the  following  are  the  terms  of  this  adjustment,  accepted  by  all  the 
parties,  the  original  copy  of  which,  signed  by  a  representative  of  each 
party,  in  the  presence  and  with  the  concurrence  of  all,  is  herewith  sub- 
miited  to  the  Assembly. 

"  The  parties  to  the  controversy,  in   regard  to   the  Presbyterian  Theo- 


1144  MINUTES  OF   THE  [Supp. 

logical  Seminary  of  the  Northwest,  have  agreed  to  this  amicable  adjust- 
ment, viz. : 

"  1st.  That  '  bygones  shall  be  bygones  ;'  no  further  controversy  respecting 
past  issues  to  be  indulged  in,  and  all  shall  cordially  unite  in  eftbrts  to 
promote  the  prosperity  of  the  Institution  in  the  field  of  usefulness  now 
about  to  widen  so  greatly  before  it. 

"2d.  That  on  the  one  hand,  Dr.  Lord  shall  retain  the  Chair  of  Theology, 
to  which  he  has  been  assigned  by  the  General  Assembly,  and  that  on  the 
other  hand,  the  General  Assembly  will  order  the  release  of  Mr.  McCormick 
from  the  fourth  instalment  of  his  bond,  and  that  the  instalments  of  the 
endowment  already  paid  shall  be  regarded  as  a  fulfilment  of  his  entire 
obligations. 

"3d.  That  the  three  Trustees  last  elected  shall  resign,  and  their  places 
shall  be  supplied  by  others  not  unacceptable  to  either  party. 

"  4th.  That  hereafter  all  the  friends  and  patrons  of  the  Seminary  shall  have 
a  proper  share  in  the  management  of  the  Institution,  and  that,  as  far  as 
practicable,  all  the  Synods  particularly  concerned  shall  be  duly  repre- 
sented, it  being  understood  that  those  friends  of  the  Seminary,  who  have 
not  yet  contributed  towards  its  endowment,  shall  make  a  prompt  and  ear- 
nest effort  to  raise  for  it  the  sum  of,  at  least,  twenty-five  thousand  dollars, 
($25,000.) 

'^  Signed  on  behalf  of  the  parties  we  respectively  represent,  on  this  third 
day  of  November,  A.  D.  1869. 

(Signed)         D.  C.  Marquis.  (Signed)         H.  E.  Spafford." 

In  presenting  this  gratifying  result  to  the  Assembly,  with  devout 
acknowledo-m'ents  to  the  Divine  grace  which  has  given  it  to  us,  the  Com- 
mittee deems  it  incnmbent  on  its  members  to  accompany  it  with  the  following 
explanations  and  suggestions. 

Upon  considering  the  Reports  referred  to  it,  the  Committee  perceived 
that  the  matters  of  controversy,  in  regard  to  the  Seminary,  were  largely, 
if  not  wholly,  connected  with  the  donation  of  an  hundred  thousand  dollars 
tendered  by  Cyrus  H.  McCormick,  Esq.,  of  Chicago,  to  the  General  As- 
sembly of  1859,  three-fourths  of  which  sum  Mr.  McCormick  has  paid,  but 
the  remainder  of  which  he  declined  to  pay,  for  reasons  assigned  by  him  as 
sufficient,  in  his  judgment,  to  justify  his  so  doing.  Mr.  McCormick  being 
thus  prominently  identified  with  the  controversies  in  question,  the  Com- 
mittee deemed  it  proper,  in  the  outset,  to  give  him  an  opportunity  to  lay 
before  it  a  statement  of  his  views  of  the  case.  He  consequently  laid 
before  the  Committee  a  pamphlet  which  he  had  caused  to  be  printed  and 
published  some  months  ago,  as  containing  his  statement  of  the  Seminary 
difficulties,  so  far  as  he  tlaen  deemed  it  advisable  to  make  any,  reserving 
the  privilege  of  making  further  statements,  which  was  assented  to  by  the 
Committee.  A  copy  of  that  pamphlet  is  among  the  documents  accom- 
panying this  report. 

The  majority  of  the  Board  of  Directors  wasi  represented  by  three  of 
its  number;  H.  E.  Spafford  and  John  Woodbridge,  Jr.,  Esqs,  and  Rev.  R. 
G.  Thompson,  and  the  minority  by  Revs.  D.  C.  Marquis  and  D.  X.  Jun- 
kin,  D.  D.,  and  Henry  E.  Miller,  Esq. 

In  opening  the  case,  on  the  part  of  the  minority,  Mr.  Marquis  presented 
a  paper  containing  its  allegations  against  the  majority,  and  against  Dr. 
Lord,  and  the  evidence  on  both  sides  mainly  referred  to  those  allegations. 

An  examination  of  Mr.  McCormick's  pamphlet,  and  of  this  paper  of  the 
minority,  will  at  once  disclose  how  large  a  portion  of  the  controversies,  in 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1145 

connection  with  tlio  Seminary,  consists  of  charges  affecting  Dr.  Lord.  As  he 
stands  in  a  peculiar  relation  to  the  General  Assembly  and  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  being  their  appointed  'J'eacher  of  Theology  in  this  Seminary  ;  and 
as  therefore  the  whole  Church  is  directly  concerned  in  his  character  and 
standing;  and  as  up  to  the  time  when  these  charges  transpired  he  was 
believed  to  be  withtmt  reproach  as  a  minister,  as  a  man,  and  as  a 
I'rofessor,  the  Committee  deems  it  incumbent  on  it  to  say,  in  explana- 
tion of  the  adjustment  relative  to  this  point,  that  Dr.  Lord's  charac- 
ter has  not  been  essentially  affected  by  any  testimony  adduced  belbre 
it.  On  the  contrary,  it  became  evident  that  he  has  so  far  the  confi- 
dence and  affectionate  regards  of  the  larger  part  of  the  friends  of  the  Sem- 
inary in  the  Northwest,  as  to  render  it  proper  to  act  in  respect  to  him  aa 
suggested  by  the  adjustment. 

\Vhile  in  common  with  a  large  portion  of  the  Church  we  cannot  but 
regret  the  unhappy  asperities  which  have  characterized  this  controversy, 
we  believe  there  will  be  a  general  and  devout  thankfulness  at  the  announce- 
ment that  "bygones  are  to  be  bygones,"  and  that  ''no  further  controversy 
respecting  past  issues  is  to  be  indulged  in,"  and  that  "  all  are  to  unite 
cordially  in  efforts  to  promote  the  prosperity  of  the  Institution."  Many 
of  the  evils  regretted  have  doubtless  been  owing  to  misunderstanding, 
aggravated  by  times  of  fearful  excitement,  and  some  of  them  (we 
fear)  must  be  charged  to  that  "  bitterness,  and  wrath,  and  anger,  and 
clamor,  and  evil  speaking,"  which  the  Apostle  exhorts  against,  and  which 
our  brethren  have  resolved  to  "  put  away,"  with  the  Christian  purpose  (we 
hope  and  will  believe)  of  being  "  kind,  one  to  another,  tender  hearted, 
forgiving  one  another,  even  as  God  lor  Christ's  sake  hath  forgiven  us." 

In  reference  to  the  2d  Article  of  the  adjustment,  in  its  relation  to  Mr. 
McCormick's  endowment,  the  Committeerecalls  to  mind  that  when,  in  1859, 
he  made  his  munificent  offer  to  the  Church,  it  is  historically  true  that  he 
and  the  great  majority  of  that  Assembly  were  agreed  as  to  the  impropriety 
of  agitating  the  Slavery  question  in  the  judicatories  of  the  Church,  and 
that  Dr.  Rice's  then  election  to  the  chair  of  Theology,  (according  to  the 
known  wishes  of  iMr.  McCormick,)  did  seem  to  authorize  him  to  expect, 
as  a  result  of  his  endowment,  that  those  views  would  prevail  in  the  teachings 
of  the  Seminary.  Indeed  we  are  justified  in  believing  that  had  it  been 
indicated  that  the  opposite  views  would  prevail  in  those  teachings,  Mr. 
McCormick  would  probably  not  have  consented  to  the  endowment.  Upon 
these  hypotheses  the  Committee  concedes  that  there  was  in  the  acceptance 
of  Mr.  McCormick's  ofler  by  the  General  Assembly,  a  tacit  understanding 
on  that  subject  to  that  efi'ect,  which  in  Christian  honour  should  be  aa  binding 
on  both  parties  as  if  expressed  in  formal  terms. 

Had  the  condition  of  things  continued  in  the  Church  and  the  country, 
which  existed  when  Mr.  McCormick  made  and  the  As  embly  accepted  his 
offer,  he  might  justly  complain  of  breach  of  faith  on  the  part  of  the  Church, 
if  through  the  subsequent  election  of  Professors  in  the  Seminary  it  departed 
from  the  understanding  which  both  he  and  the  Assembly  had  when  the 
corps  of  Professors  was  elected  in  1859,  causing  thereby  the  prevalence  in 
the  Seminary  of  opposite  views  to  those  which  it  was  then  the  understanding 
of  both  parties  should  prevail  therein.  Had  that  condition  of  things  so 
continued,  the  Committee  are  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  there 
would  have  been  up  to  this  time  probably  no  change  in  the  attitude  of  the 
General  Assembly  on  this  subject,  and  therefore  no  occasion  for  complaint 
on  Mr.  McCormick's  part.  But  since  1859  a  change  has  come  over  the 
Church  and  the  country  in  these  respects,  a  great  and  wonderful  change, 

Vol.  XVIIL— 145 


1146  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

such  as  no  man  in  the  North,  and  perhaps  few  in  the  South,  had  any  pre- 
monition of  then,  and  which,  hardly  less  in  the  Church  than  in  the  State, 
has  revolutionized  institutions  and  opinions.  It  is  necessary  to  inquire 
what  effect  that  change  has  had  upon  the  relations  of  Mr  McCormick  and 
the  General  Assembly  to  each  other  in  connection  with  the  Seminary. 

So  far  as  the  legal  obligation  of  his  bond  is  concerned,  the  Committee, 
with  the  light  before  it,  sees  nothing  in  any  occurrences  since  the  execu- 
tion of  the  bond,  which  can  operate  as  a  discharge  from  its  binding  force 
in  the  eye  of  the  law.  The  oifer  of  endowment  was  made  upon  certain 
conditions,  which  the  bond  declares  to  have  been  complied  with  by  the 
General  Assembly ;  and  it  is  not  in  Mr.  McCormick's  power  to  invalidate 
the  bond  in  law,  because  of  any  supposed  change  in  the  attitude  of  the 
Assembly  in  reference  to  matters  outside  of  the  bond  itself. 

But  we  do  not  feel  ourselves,  as  Christian  men,  at  liberty  to  look  only  at 
the  legal  aspects  of  the  case.  There  are  other  views,  which  we  as  Chris- 
tians cannot  afford  to  disregard.  Come  what  may,  the  fair  ftime  of  our 
beloved  Church  must  be  without  a  breath  of  tarnish,  real  or  supposed  ; 
and  we  must  be  right  in  strict  conscience,  as  well  as  in  strict  law.  We 
cannot  shut  our  eyes  to  the  fact  that  the  attitude  of  the  Church  now  is  pot 
what  it  was  in  1859  on  the  subjects  referred  to.  We  must  recognize  in 
the  events  of  the  past  nine  years  a  Divine  Providence  which  has  materially 
modified  the  position  and  duties  of  the  Church  upon  these  questions ;  and 
it  is  a  pleasure  to  be  able  to  say  that  Mr.  McCormick  professes  to  recognize 
and  acquiesce  in  this  changed  aspect  of  affairs. 

That  Mr.  McCormick  should  have  desired,  and,  in  virtue  of  his  endow- 
ment, felt  himself  entitled  to  much  influence  in  the  affairs  of  the  Institution, 
we  suppose  to  be  natural,  if  not  commendable.  That  it  was  equally  natural 
for  the  Directors  and  Trustees  of  the  Seminary,  and  even  for  the  General 
Assembly,  to  accord  to  him  a  greater  measure  of  influence  than  to  one  not 
standing  in  his  relation  to  it,  we  do  not  hesitate  to  admit.  Nay,  we  go 
further,  and  say  that  upon  every  ground  such  greater  measure  of  influence 
should  have  been  yielded  to  him;  but  only  up  to  a  certain  point.  It  never 
could  be  allowed  to  assume  the  character  of  control.  The  Church  never 
can,  never  will,  abdicate  its  rights  to  determine  all  questions  and  meet  all 
responsibilities  involved  in  its  trust  from  its  Lord. 

We  understand  Mr.  McCormick,  in  his  interview  with  our  sub-com- 
mittee, so  to  explain  the  claims  made  as  to  this  in  his  pamphlet,  (which  by 
some  have  been  differently  interpreted,)  that  he  asks  of  the  Church  no 
influence  in  Seminary  affairs  at  variance  with  the  duties  and  rights  of  the 
Assembly.  A  courteous  consideration  for  his  preferences,  all  would  cheer- 
fully yield  as  his  due,  and  we  fully  accord  to  him  that,  so  far  as  we  could 
ascertain  from  the  testimony,  aside  from  the  claims  in  his  pamphlet  alluded 
to,  which  he  explains  to  be  only  a  desire  for  the  fulfilment  of  the  tacit 
understanding  of  1859,  he  has  neither  endeavoured  nor  desired  more  than 
such  "  courteous  consideration." 

And  inasmuch  as  the  Assembly  of  1867  was  induced  to  transfer  Dr. 
Lord  to  the  chair  of  Theology  against  the  known  wishes  of  Mr.  McCor- 
mick, while  it  cannot  be  conceded  that  he  may  prevent  what  the  Assembly 
resolves  to  be  pi-oper  and  expedient,  we  do  nevertheless  concede  that  it  will 
be  honourable  and  right  for  the  Assembly  to  accept  and  order  the  modification 
of  Mr.  McCormick's  obligations  suggested  by  the  adjustment,  recognizing 
in  justice  and  gratitude  that  the  endowment  even  then  will  have  been 
munificent,  and  that  the  other  property  of  the  Institution,  prospectively  so 
large,  is  greatly  if  not  entirely  the  effect  of  his  liberality. 

In  regard  to  the  third  article  of  the  adjustment,  the  Committee  begs  leave 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1147 

to  say,  tliat  it  is  only  right  to  have  it  understood  of  tlic  Trustees  dii^placcd 
by  the  late  changes  in  that]>oard,  that  nothing  appeared  in  evidence  at  all 
to  inculpate  their  fidelity  or  their  competence  ;  that  on  the  contrary  it  was 
insisted  by  all  parties  bel'ore  the  Coniniittee  that  no  geiitlen)cii  in  Chicago 
hold  a  higher  position  for  integrity  and  excellence  of  Christian  chamcter. 
We  also  testify  that  it  is  highly  honourable  and  worthy  of  the  respect  of  the 
Church,  that  for  the  sake  of  this  amicable  adjustment  the  three  last  elected 
Trustees  have  consented  to  resign. 

In  explanation  of  the  fourth  and  last  article  of  the  adjustment  we  ask 
the  liberty  to  say,  in  the  first  place,  it  is  greatly  to  be  desired  that  the 
General  Assembly  should  so  carefully  perform  its  duty  in  the  election  of 
Directors  of  all  our  Seminaries,  as  to  secure  a  proper  interest  and  coopera- 
tion from  all  who  ought  to  be  concerned  in  them,  and  that  in  the  selection 
of  officers  of  its  institutions  it  should  avoid  any  suspicion,  such  as  some 
have  entertained,  in  connection  with  the  affairs  of  this  Seminary,  of  being 
influenced  by  political  preferences,  or  by  any  tests  other  than  those  recog- 
nized in  the  Constitution  of  the  Church;  and  in  the  second  jylace,  we  say 
that  inasmuch  as  the  course  of  events  has  brought  into  the  circle  of  the 
friends  of  this  Seminary  some,  who  under  its  original  arrangements  chose 
to  be  left  out,  it  is  certainly  the  privilege  and  duty  of  these  "  new  friends" 
to  recognize  their  responsibility,  and  either  to  discharge  their  part  honoura- 
bly in  regard  to  its  pecuniary  wants,  or  to  relinquish  lo  those  who  will,  the 
direction  of  its  aifairs  subject  to  the  rules  and  settled  control  of  the  General* 
Assembly.  The  Assembly  will  be  gratified  to  know  that  at  the  close  of 
our  negotiations  the  adjustment  appeared  to  be  cordially  concurred  in  by  all 
present,  the  oldest  member  of  the  Committee,  after  a  few  words  of  fraternal 
counsel  to  the  parties  in  the  buried  controversy,  led  us  all  in  reverent 
thanksgiving  and  prayer  to  the  Throne  of  Grace,  "and  in  a  fervent  outburst 
we  sang  the  Doxology,  and  lovingly,  hopefully  concluded  our  work. 

All  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 

C.  D.  Drake,   Chairman. 

G.    W.    MUSGRAVE, 

J.  Trumbull  Backus, 
E.  K.  Craven, 
John  D.  McCobd. 

Mr.  Drake  also  moved  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Eesohed,  That  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Theological  Seminary  of 
the  Northwest  be  directed  to  cause  to  be  executed,  in  due  form  of  law, 
a  release  to  Cyrus  H.  McCormick  of  the  fourth  instalment  of  §25,000,  of 
his  offered  endowment  of  ^100,000,  to  said  Seminary. 

The  report  from  the  Special  Committee  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  Dan- 
ville  Theological  Seminary  was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  half-pas 
two  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

Eev.  A.  A.  E.  Taylor,  sitting  as  a  Commissioner  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Potomac,  reported  that  since  May  last  he  had  removed  into  the  bounds  of 
another  Presbytery,  and  had  become  a  member  thereof.  He  expressed  a 
doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  his  continuing  to  sit  as  a  Commissioner  from  the 
Presbytery  of  Potomac,  and  his  case  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on 
Elections. 

After  prayer  by  the  Piev.  H.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  the  Assembly  adjourned 
to  half-past  two  o'clock. 


1148  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

WEDNESDAY  Afternoon,  2J  o'clock. 

The  Assembly  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer  by  the  Rev.  llobert 
Beer. 

llev.  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D.,  from  the  Committee  on  Elections,  reported 
aa  follows : 

The  Committee  on  Elections  bejis  leave  to  recommend  that  the  Rev. 
Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D  ,  alternate  of  the  Rev.  I.  J.  Henderson,  Commis- 
sioner from  the  Presbytery  of  Baltimore,  whose  Commission  lacks  the 
signature  of  the  Moderator;  the  Rev.  J.  L.  Wilson,  alternate  of  the 
Rev.  Jacob  Conzett,  Commissioner  from  the  Presbytery  of  Dubuque;  and 
John  P.  Black,  Ruling  Elder,  alternate  of  Andrew  McNeil,  Commissioner 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Marion,  who  have  no  Commissions,  but  have  given 
satisfactory  proof  of  due  appointment  before  tiiis  General  Assembly  first 
convened  in  May  last,  be  admitted  to  seats. 

The  Report  was  adopted. 

The  same  Committee  reported  that  a  paper  had  been  placed  in  its  hands 
relative  to  the  formation  of  a  Presbytery  in  Colorado,  which  paper  was, 
on  motion,  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures. 

Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  D.,  presented  a  communication  from  the  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  conveying  information  that  seven 
vacancies  now  exist  in  the  Board,  which  ought  to  be  filled  when  the  As- 
sembly is  sitting  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  On  motion  of  Dr.  Rodgers 
a  Committee  of  three  was  appointed  to  make  nominations  to  fill  said  va- 
cancies, and  it  was  made  the  first  order  of  the  day  to  go  into  the  election. 
Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  H.  M.  Knox,  D.  D.,  and  Ruling 
Elder  Morris  Patterson,  were  appointed  the  nominating  Committee. 

Rev.  T.  H.  Skinner  Jr.,  D.  D,,  from  the  Special  Committee  on  the 
afiliirs  of  Dauville  Seminary,  presented  its  report,  and  read  in  connection 
therewith  a  letter  from  Rev.  R.  W.  Landis,  D.  D.,  addressed  to  the  Mod- 
erator, proifering  his  resignation  as  a  Proi'essor  in  that  Seminary.  The 
report  was  accepted  and  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  investigate  the  affairs  of 
the  Theological  Seminary  at  Danville,  Kentucky,  respectfully  reports  that 
it  met  in  Cincinnati,  Sept.  14th,  and  organized  by  the  election  of  Hon. 
Stanley  Matthews  as  chairman,  and  T.  H.  Skinner,  Jr.,  D.  D.,  as  secretary. 
After  reading  all  the  papers  that  had  been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Com- 
mittee, its  members  proceeded  to  Louisville,  where  they  examined  several  of 
the  Directors  and  Trustees  of  the  Institution.  On  the  next  d;iy  they  ar- 
rived at  Danville,  and  there  continued  their  investigations.  All  the  Pro- 
fessors, Trustees,  Directors  and  prominent  friends  of  the  Seminary  who 
were  accessible,  were  invited  to  appear  before  the  Committee.  The  invi- 
tation was  generally  accepted,  and  all  were  allowed  freely  to  express  their 
views.  The  records  and  accounts  of  the  Institution  were  placed  before  us, 
and  every  avenue  of  information  known  to  the  Committee  was  explored. 
The  Committee  desires  to  bear  testimony  to  the  courtesy  extended  to  it, 
without  exception,  by  all  with  whom  it  came  in  contact,  and  to  the 
candour  and  fulness  with  which  its  interrogations  were  answered. 

The  subject  matter  of  our  report  will  be  appropriately  divided  into 
several  topics,  which  will  now  successively  receive  attention. 

I.  The  importance  of  the  Seminary. 

The  Committee  made  diligent  inquiry  as  to  the  condition  of  our  churches 
in  Kentucky,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  bearing  of  the  continued  existence 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1149 

of  the  Seminary  on  the  interests  of  the  Church.  The  universal  testimony 
was  to  tlio  effect  that  were  the  Seminary  discontinued,  or  removed  beyond 
the  bounds  of  the  State,  our  cause  in  Kentucky  would  receive  a  severe,  if 
not  a  latal  blow.  The  Declaration  and  Testimony  churches  now  in  con- 
nection with  the  Southern  Assembly  are  making  vigorous  efforts  to  secure 
the  predominance.  A  school  has  been  opened  in  Danville,  manned  by 
teachers  either  in  connection  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  South,  or  in 
strong  sympathy  with  it,  that  may  become  a  serious  rival  to  Centre 
College.  A  Theological  department  has  been  organized  in  the  same  Insti- 
tution, that  has  already  taken  away  some  of  the  students  of  our  Seminary. 
Not  only  is  the  Church  property  throughout  the  State  in  jeopardy  by 
reason  of  the  decision  of  the  State  Courts,  but  if  that  decision  is  not  over- 
ruled by  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  Centre  College,  and 
even  the  Seminary  itself,  will  be  in  danger.  The  Church  in  Kentucky, 
connected  with  our  Assembly,  needs  every  avaiUible  external  support  we 
can  reader,  to  enable  it  to  maintain  itself  in  the  field,  and  make  progress, 
in  this  crisis.  And  uo  one  thing  can  be  named  more  conducive  to  this 
end,  than  the  Seminary  at  Danville,  when  placed  upon  a  basis  commanding 
the  confidence  and  afiection  of  our  branch  of  the  Church  in  the  State,  by 
the  appointment  of  a  harmonious,  able,  and  learned  faculty,  and  the  ad- 
ju.stmeut  of  the  various  conflicting  interests  of  the  Institution.  The  Com- 
mittee is  therefore  of  the  opinion  that  it  is  the  duty  of  the  General 
Assembly  to  do  all  that  is  within  its  power  to  relieve,  uphold,  and 
invigorate  this  "  school  of  the  prophets,"  in  its  present  location. 

II.  The  want  of  harmony  among  the  officers  of  the  Institution. 

As  this  was  a  matter  that  vitally  concerned  the  prosperity  and  useful- 
ness of  the  Seminary,  the  Committee  gave  it  a  thorough  examination  and 
consideration.  It  declined  to  enter  into  the  details  or  merits  of  any 
personal  controversies,  confining  its  inquiries  to  these  two  points,  1st. 
Tlie  fact  of  the  existence  of  such  difficulties;  and  2d,  their  infiuence 
upon  the  efficiency  of  the  Institution.  The  Committee  examined  between 
twenty  and  thirty  gentlemen  on  these  points,  and  the  testimony  was  so 
unanimous  and  decisive  as  to  leave  no  doubt  on  its  mind  as  to  the  proper 
recommendations  to  make  to  this  Assembly.  The  reorganization  of  the 
Faculty  was  deemed  indispensable  to  the  existence  of  the  Institution.  As 
the  senior  Professor,  the  liev.  Dr.  R.  J.  Breckinridge  has  already  resigned 
his  chair,  his  resignation  to  take  effect  at  the  close  of  the  present  scholastic 
year,  Dec.  1st,  and  as  his  resignation  has  been  accepted  by  the  Board  of 
Directors;  and  as  three  others,  the  Rev.  Drs.  Yerkes,  West,  and  Landis, 
have  placed  their  resignations  in  the  hands  of  your  Committee,  to  be  pre- 
sented to  the  Assembly,  it  only  remains  that  all  the  professorships  be  declared 
vacant  by  the  Assembly.  The  way  will  then  be  open  for  the  free  action 
of  the  Assembly  in  the  premises.  In  these  circumstances,  it  is  unneces- 
sary to  make  any  further  reference  to  this  painful  subject. 

III.  The  Summer  Session. 

It  will  be  remembered,  that  iii  1867  the  Assembly  ordered  that  the 
time  of  holding  the  Session  of  the  Seminary  be  so  altered,  that  it  should 
begin  in  May,  and  close  in  November.  After  trying  the  experiment  for 
two  years,  it  was  the  almost  universal  testimony,  we  may  say — with  the 
exception,  perhaps,  of  one  of  the  professors — the  universal  testimony 
of  all  who  expressed  an  opinion  on  the  subject,  that  the  experiment  is  not 
a  success,  and  that  the  efficiency  of  the  Seminary  would  be  greatly  pro- 
moted by  a  return  to  the  winter  Session.  In  this  opinion  the  Committee 
concurs. 


1150  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

IV.  The  expediency  of  tte  Professors  being  members  of  the  Boards  of 
Directors  and  Trustees. 

This  formed  a  prominent  subject  of  examination.  The  testimony  was 
generally  adverse  to  the  custom  that  has  heretofore  prevailed  in  this  Insti- 
tution, and  the  opinion  of  the  Committee  is,  that  the  Professors  should 
not  be  members  of  either  Board,  but  may,  of  course,  be  present  at  their 
sessions,  when  invited  by  them,  for  advice  and  consultation.  In  this  par- 
ticular, the  Danville  Seminary,  so  far  as  the  Committee  is  advised,  forms 
an  exception  to  all  the  other  Seminaries  of  the  Church.  The  reasons  for  the 
discontinuance  of  the  practice  are  too  obvious  to  require  enumeration.  Its 
practical  results,  as  shown  in  the  difficulties  that  have  existed  in  this  Insti- 
tution, demonstrate  its  injurious  tendency. 

V.  Condition  df  the  finances. 

After  a  very  careful  inquiry,  and  an  investigation  of  the  books  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  the  Committee  cannot  but  express  its  satisfaction  at 
the  admirable  management,  by  the  Board,  of  the  funds  of  the  Seminary 
during  the  past  nine  years  of  financial  difficulty  in  the  Union,  and  particu- 
larly in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  We  do  not  think  it  necessary  here  to 
report  the  details  of  the  various  investments  and  income.  The  last  report 
of  the  Board,  published  in  the  Minutes  of  the  Assembly,  will  afibrd  the 
requisite  information.  It  was  the  opinion  of  several  of  the  witnesses  that 
a  change  might  be  made  in  some  of  the  investments,  by  which,  without 
impairing  their  security,  the  annual  income  might  be  augmented ;  and  thus 
a  larger  margin  be  gained  for  contingencies  arising  from  fluctuations  in 
the  market  value  of  the  property  of  the  Institution. 

The  Assembly  in  May  last,  directed  that  the  salaries  of  the  Professors 
be  made  82,500  per  annum,  "  provided  the  income  of  the  Seminary  is 
sufficient  to  pay  the  same  ;  and  until  the  same  is  sufficient,  that  said  salaries 
be  fixed  at  $2,300;  said  advance  to  commence  March  1st,  1869."  At  a 
meeting  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  in  July  last,  a  resolution  was  adopted, 
fixing  the  annual  salaries  of  the  Professors  at  $2,500.  Whether  this 
amount,  rather  than  the  lower  sum  named  by  the  Assembly,  can  be  reliably 
depended  upon,  is  a  matter  of  which  the  Board  is  best  able  to  judge. 
The  Committee  had  some  doubts  about  it ;  but  if  the  changes  above  alluded 
to  in  the  investments  are  made,  there  will  be  no  difficulty. 

VI.  Presiding  officer  of  the  Faculty. 

The  plan  of  the  organization  of  the  Seminary  provides  that  the  Senior 
Professor  shall  be  the  presiding  officer.  Considerable  difficulty  has  arisen 
from  the  fact,  that  during  a  portion  of  the  time  that  the  Seminary  has  been 
in  existence,  there  was  no  Senior  Professor,  two  of  the  Professors  having 
been  elected  on  the  same  day.  More  recently  the  seniority  of  rank  of  two 
of  the  remaining  Professors  was  undetermined  on  the  same  ground.  The 
Committee  thinks  that  some  other  arrangement  should  be  made  to  preclude 
the  occurrence  of  difficulties  in  the  future,  and  will  present  a  plan  to  that 
efiect;  especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that  in  case  of  the  re-organization  of 
the  faculty  as  herein  recommended,  there  will  be  no  seniority  among  the 
Professors. 

VII.  The  subjects  of  Instruction  by  the  Professors. 

In  the  "plan"  of  the  Seminary  it  is  provided  that  "  there  shall  be  Four 
Professors  in  this  Seminary ;  and  till  the  further  order  of  the  Assembly, 
the  subjects  of  instruction  distributed  among  them,  shall  be  as  hereinafter 
provided ;  namely,  there  shall  be  a  Professor  of  Exegetical,  Didactic,  and 
Polemic  Theology;  a  Professor  of  Biblical  and  Ecclesiastical  History;  a 
Professor  of  Church   Government  and  Pastoral  Theology ;  a  Professor  of 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1151 

Biblical  and  Oriental  Literature."  The  Committee  is  of  the  opininn  that 
the  subject  of  Exegetical  Theology  should  be  transferred  to  the  Chair  of 
]iiblical  and  Oriental  Literature.  The  Committee  ofi'ers  the  following 
resolutions  for  the  consideration  of  the  Assembly. 

litso/vaJ,  1st.  That  the  Assembly  takes  a  deep  interest  in  the  prosperity 
of  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Danville,  Kentucky,  and  is  of  the  opinion 
that  the  interests  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  will  be  greatly  promoted  by 
its  continued  existence  and  operation  as  a  "  First  class  Theological  Semi- 
nary," in  accordance  with  the  original  covenant  entered  into  by  the 
General  Assembly. 

JiesJved,  2d.  That  having  been  informed  of  the  resignation  by  the  Kev. 
R.  J.  Breckinridge,  D.  D.,  of  the  Professorship  of  Exegetical,  Didactic,  and 
Polemic  Theology,  and  the  acceptance  of  the  same  by  the  Board  of  Directors 
of  the  Seminary,  the  Assembly  desires  to  place  on  record  it<  sense  of  the 
value  of  the  services  Dr.  Breckinridge  has  rendered  to  the  Church,  in  the 
original  establishment  of  the  Seminary,  and  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
of  "his  Professorship,  and  it  expresses  the  hope,  that  whilst  his  days 
are  spared,  in  whatever  way  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  may  employ 
him,  he  may  continue  to  be  an  instrument  of  signal  power  and  success  in 
the  advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  God  in  the  land. 

Resolved,  3d,  That  the  Board  of  Directors  having  accepted  the  resig- 
nation of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Breckinridge,  and  this  Assembly  having  received 
the  resignations  of  the  Rev.  Drs.  Yerkes,  West,  and  Landis;  and  it  being  in 
the  judgment  of  this  Assembly  expedient  that  a  complete  re-organization  of 
the  faculty  should  be  eifected  without  delay,  this  Assembly,  for  the  reasons 
named  in  the  second  "  topic"  of  the  report  of  the  Committee,  does  hereby 
declare  the  Chairs  of  all  the  Professors  of  the  Danville  Theological  Semi- 
nary to  be  now  vacant,  and  that  it  will  at  the  present  session  of  the 
Assembly  proceed  to  the  election  of  four  Professors  to  fill  the  same. 

Resolved,  4th.  That  the  Assembly  gratefully  recognizes  the  able  and 
faithful  manner  in  which  Drs.  Yerkes,  Landis,  and  West,  have  severally 
discharged  the  duties  of  their  Professorships. 

Re.^o!ved,  5th.  Thatt  he  subject  of  Biblical  Exegesis  is  hereby  transferred 
from  the  Chair  of  Didactic  and  Polemic  Theology  to  that  of  Biblical  and 
Oriental  Literature,  and  that  the  subjects  of  instruction  in  this  Chair  here- 
after be  entitled.  Biblical  Literature  and  Exegetical  Theology. 

Resolved,  6th.  That  the  Board  of  Directors  is  hereby  instructed  to 
establish  a  permanent  term  for  the  exercises  of  the  Seminary,  beginning  in 
the  month  of  September  and  closing  in  the  month  of  April  or  May,  so  as 
to  conform,  as  nearly  as  possible,  their  sessions  to  those  of  the  other  Semi- 
naries of  the  Church;  and  it  is  hereby  advised,  if  in  its  judgment  it  is 
deemed  expedient,  to  make  arrangements  for  a  session  during  the_  year 
1870,  within  the  months  of  February  and  June,  inclusive,  so  as  to  give  to 
the  students  who  may  desire  it,  the  advantage  of  a  third  session,  without 
waiting  till  the  Autumn  to  commence  their  studies. 

Resolved,  7th.  That  no  Professor  shall  be  a  member  of  either  the  Board 
of  Directors  or  the  Board  of  Trustees  ;  and  that  the  acceptance  hereafter  of  a 
Professorship  by  any  member  of  either  of  the  Boards  named  will  be 
regarded  as  ipso  facto  the  resignation  of  his  seat  therein. 

Resolved,  8th.  That  the  "  plan"  of  the  Seminary  be  changed  so  that 
Article  3d,  on  page  14,  shall  read  as  follows,  "  The  Professors  shall  be  of 
equal  rank  and  authority  one  with  another.  And  the  Board  of  Directors  at 
its  meeting  next  preceding  each  Annual  Session,  shall  designate  one  of  the 


1152  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

Professors  to  act  as  presiding  officer  at  the  meetings  of  the  Faculty,  and  he 
shall  perform  in  the  name  of  the  whole,  all  joint  official  acts.  The  Faculty 
shall  elect  one  of  their  number  to  act  as  Stated  Clerk,  who  shall  perform 
the  duties  proper  to  that  office." 

Resolved^  9th.  That  the  Assembly  commends  the  Board  of  Trustees  and 
its  financial  Agent,  for  the  wise  and  efficient  manner  in  which  the  finan- 
ces of  the  Institution  have  been  conducted,  and  hereby  recommends  that 
it  carefully  consider  the  matter  of  transferring  some  of  their  funds 
to  more  profitable  investments.  Also,  to  consider  whether  the  time  has  not 
arrived  for  taking  steps  towards  securing  houses  for  the  Professors;  and 
whether  means  may  not  be  secured  for  the  more  rapid  increase  of  the 
Library. 

With  this  Report  the  Committee  transmits  to  the  General  Assembly  the 
minutes  of  its  proceedings,  together  with  the  resignations  of  Drs.  Yerkcs 
and  West,  and  accompanying  documents. 

Your  Committee  would  state,  in  conclusion,  that  it  has  endeavoured 
to  discharge  the  duties  devolved  upon  it  with  impartiality  and  fidelity, 
and  with  a  supreme  regard  to  the  interests  of  our  Church  at  large,  and 
especially  in  the  State  of  Kentucky ;  and  while  the  discharge  of  those 
duties  has  been  in  many  respects  extremely  trying  and  painful,  the  remark- 
able unanimity  and  decisiveness  of  opinion  among  the  many  persons  it 
examined,  have  greatly  relieved  it  of  perplexity,  and  made  its  way 
clear  in  the  recommendutioiis  it  has  presented  in  this  report, 

Stanley  Matthews, 

F.  W.  Brauns, 

Wm.  M.  Francis, 

RoBT.  McKnight, 

Thomas  H.  Skinner,  Jr. 

Rev.  S.  Yerkes,  D.  D.,  presented  certain  papers  from  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  Danville  Seminary,  which  on  motion  were  referred  to  the 
Standing  Committee  on   Theological  Seminaries. 

Ruling  Elder  Drake  moved  the  following,  which  was  adopted. 

Resohid,  That  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Seminary  of  the  North- 
we-t  is  hereby  directed  to  cause  to  be  paid,  out  of  the  funds  of  the  said 
Seminary,  the  expenses  incurred  by  the  Special  Committee  appointed  by 
this  Assembly  in  May  last  to  investigate  the  affairs  of  said  Seminary,  as 
they  shall  be  certified  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee. 

On  motion,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  expenses  incurred  by  the  Special  Committee  to  in- 
vestigate the  affairs  of  Danville  Seminary  are  directed  to  be  paid  by  the 
Trustees  of  said  Seminary  out  of  the  funds  thereof,  as  said  expenses  shall 
be  certified  by  the  Chairman  of  said  Committee. 

Dr.  Musgrave  presented  nominations  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  Board  of 
Directors  of  the  Seminary  of  the  Northwest  in  place  of  those  directors 
whose  term  expired  last  spring.  It  was  made  the  second  order  of  the  day 
for  to-morrow  forenoon  to  elect  persons  to  fill  said  vacancies. 

Hon.  William  Strong  and  Hon.  Daniel  Haines  appeared  as  a  Committee 
of  the  other  Assembly  now  sitting  in  the  Third  Church  in  this  city,  and 
presented  the  action  taken  by  their  Assembly  in -the  matter  of  admitting 
alternates  and  other  new  members  to  seats  in  that  body. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Hornblower,  D.  D.,  from  the  Committee  on  Theological 
Seminaries,  reported    nominations   to   fill  the  several  Chairs  in  Danville 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1153 

Seminary,  now  vacant,  and  it  was  made  the  third  order  of  the  day  for  to- 
morrow forenoon  to  go  into  an  election  to  fill  gaid  vacancies;  and  any  stand- 
ing rules  in  conflict  with  this  action  were  suspended  for  this  occasion.  After 
which  the  Assembly  was  led  in  prayer  for  Divine  guidance  in  reference  to 
this  election,  by  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D. 

llev.  J.  B.  Watcrbury,  D.  D.,  from  the  Committee  appointed  in  May 
last  to  represent  this  Assembly  in  the  National  Council  of  Evangelical 
Churches  which  first  met  in  the  City  of  New  York  in  October  last,  pre- 
sented a  verbal  report,  which  was  approved. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Musgrave  the  Assembly  agreed  to  meet  the  Assembly 
of  the  other  Branch  at  half-past  seven  o'clock  this  evening  in  the  Thipd 
Presbyterian  Church,  for  united  prayer  and  praise. 

A  communication  from  the  Board  of  Publication  in  reference  to  the 
appropriation  by  the  Assembly  at  its  sessions  last  Spring  (see  Minutes, 
page  1)43,)  of  money  for  other  purposes  than  the  publication  and  distribu- 
tion of  printed  religious  truth,  was  presented  and  read,  and  on  motion  waa 
referred  to  a  Special  Committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  A.  Gr.  Hall,  D.  D., 
Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elder  John  T.  Nisou. 

The  attention  of  the  Assembly  was  called  to  certain  annuities  left  to 
several  of  the  Boards  of  the  Church  in  the  last  will  of  the  Rev.  James  Coe, 
formerly  of  Monroe,  Ohio,  and  the  whole  subject  was  referred  to  a  Special 
Committee,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Beer,  Rev.  I.  M.  Hughs  and 
Ruling  Elder  Henry  Day. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  McLean  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Report  of  the  Conference  Committee  on  the  subject 
of  Reunion,  made  to  this  Assembly  on  the  27th  day  of  May,  1869,  be 
entered  at  large  on  the  Minutes,  with  the  names  of  the  joint  Committee  aa 
appended  in  the  original  Report,  omitting  the  Plan  of  Reunion,  and  referring 
to  the  same  as  found  on  page  914  of  the  printed  Minutes. 
The  Report  thus  referred  to  was  as  follows : 

The  Committee  of  Conference  appointed  by  the  two  General  Assemblies 
has  attended  to  the  duty  assigned  to  it;  and  after  a  very  free  interchange 
of  views,  with  prayer  to  Almighty  God  for  his  guidance,  is  unanimous  in 
recommending  to  the  Assemblies  for  their  consideration,  and,  if  they  see 
fit,  their  adoption,  the  accompanying  papers,  to  wit: 

1.  Plan  of  Reunion  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States 
of  America. 

2.  Concurrent  Declarations  of  the  General  Assemblies  of  1869 ;  and 

3.  Recommendation  of  a  day  of  Prayer."  [See  these  papers  on  Minutes, 
pages  914— 91G.] 

Signed,  William  Adams,  Chairman. 

George  W.  Musgrave,  J.  F.  Stearns, 

A.  G.  Hall,  R.  W.  Patterson, 

L.  H.  Atwater,  S.  W.  Fisher, 

Willis  Lord,  James  B.  Shaw, 

Henry  R,  Wilson,  W.  Strong, 

Robert  Carter,  Daniel  Haines, 

William  M.  Francis,  William  E.  Dodge, 

J.  C.  Grier,  J.  S.  Farrand, 

Charles  D,  Drake,  John  L.  Knight. 
Henry  Day,  Secretary. 

The  Assembly  adjourned  after  prayer  by  the  Moderator. 
Vol.  XVIIL— 146 


1154  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

THURSDAY  Morning,  Nov.  11,  1869. 

The  Assembly  met  at  9  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  was  opened  with  prayer  by 
the  Moderator,  after  which  half  an  hour  was  spent  in  devotional  exercisea. 

The  minutes  of  yesterday  were  read  and  approved. 

The  following  alternates  appeared  and  took  their  seats  accordinp:  to  the 
action  of  the  Assembly  taken  yesterday  in  regard  to  enrolments;  viz  Eev. 
Wm.  M.  Baker  and  Huling  Elder  Joseph  Black,  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Zanesville;  Ruling  Elder  David  McCormick  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Michigan,  and  Rev.  J.  L  McNeil  from  the  Presbytery  of  Fairfield. 

The  first  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  and  Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  D., 
from  the  nominating  Committee,  reported  a  list  of  nominations  to  fill  the 
seven  vacancies  in  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  it 
was  made  the  order  of  the  day  for  11  o'clock,  this  forenoon,  to  vote  on  these 
nominations,  by  ballot. 

The  second  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  viz.,  to  fill  vacancies  in  the 
Board  of  Directors  of  the  Seminary  of  the  Northwest.  The  nominationa 
were  read,  when  it  was  ordered  that  the  election  take  place  at  eleven 
o'clock,  this  forenoon. 

Rev.  W.  H.  Hornblower,  D.  D.,  from  the  Committee  on  Theological 
Seminaries,  presented  the  following  report,  which  was  adopted,  as  i'oUows  : 

The  Committee  on  Theological  Seminaries  reports  that  a  variety  of 
papers  has  been  placed  in  its  hands,  by  the  Directors  of  Danville  Sem- 
inary, none  of  which  requires  action  on  the  part  of  the  Assembly,  except 
one.  This  one  is  the  action  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  Danville  Sem- 
inary, in  reference  to  the  former  action  of  the  Assembly,  in  regard  to  the 
last  Annual  Report  of  that  Board.  The  Directors  approve  of  said  action, 
even  that  part  censuring  the  Board  for  the  loose  and  irresponsible  manner 
of  making  their  report;  but  think  that,  in  justice  to  themselves,  it  should 
be  made  known  that  this  "loose  and  irresponsible  manner"  has  not  been  the 
.habit  of  their  Board,  and  they  desire  that  this  fact  be  entered  upon  the 
Minutes  of  the  General  Assembly. 

The  third  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,  viz.,  the  election  of  Professors 
to  fill  vacancies  in  Danville  Theological  Seminary.  On  motion,  the  vote 
was  taken  viva  voce^  when  the  following  gentlemen  were  elected : — Rev. 
JS.  P.  Humphreys,  D.  D.,  to  the  chair  of  Diadactic  and  Polemic  Theology; 
Rev.  Stephen  Yerkes,  D.  D.,  to  the  chair  of  Biblical  Literature  and  Exe- 
getical  Theology ;  Rev.  N.  West,  D.  D.,  to  the  chair  of  Biblical  and 
Ecclesiastical  History;  and  the  Rev.  L.  J.  Halsey,  D.  D.,  to  the  chair  of 
Church  Government  and  Pastoral  Theology.  The  following  Committee 
was  appointed  to  inform  the  newly  elected  Professors  of  their  appointment, 
viz  ,  Rev.  James  Hawthorn,  D.  D.,  Rev,  0.  A.  Hills,  and  Ruling  Elder 
Aaron  B.  Belknap. 

The  Rev.  A.  D.  Mitchell  presented  a  request  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Carlisle,  for  permission  to  enter  upon  its  roll  the  name  of  Rev.  Joseph 
Nelson,  a  foreign  minister.     On  motion,  leave  was  granted. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.,  the  Committee  of  Confer- 
ence was  requested  to  make  arrangements  for  the  joint  meeting  of  the  two 
Assemblies,  in  this  house,  at  seven  o'clock  this  evening,  for  devotional 
exercises. 

The  Rev.  J.  H.  M.  Knox,  D.  D.,  presented  a  paper  in  reference  to  the 
allowance  of  the  Pleidelburg  Catechism,  in  such  churches  as  may  desire 
to  u.se  it.     On  motion  of  the  Rev.  G.  S.  Plumley,  this  paper  was  referred 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1155 

to  a  Special  Conimlttee  of  five,  to  report  to  tlic  next  Assembly.  The 
Moderator  appointed  as  said  Comiiiittoe,  Kev.  (}.  8.  I'luuiley,  Rev.  R.  K. 
Rodgcrs,  D.  i).,  Rev.  J.  II.  M.  Knox,  L>.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elders  E.  J. 
Fox  and  A.  B.  Belknap. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  C.  K.  Imbrie,  D.  D.,  the  Board  of  Publication 
was  authorized  to  send  two  copies  of  the  Report  on  Plans  of  Systematic 
Beneficence,  recently  printed  by  it,  to  each  minister  of  our  Church. 

The  order  of  the  day  was  taken  up,,  viz.,  the  election  of  persons  to  fill 
vacancies  in  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly.  The  vote 
was  taken  by  ballot.  Rev.  C.  Dick.son,  D.  D.,  Rev.  B.  C.  Critchlow,  Rev. 
Samuel  Fiudley,  and  Rev.  Smith  F.  Grior,  v.'erc  appointed  tellers,  who,  after 
counting  the  votes,  reported  that  the  following  persons  were  unanimously 
elected  to  fill  said  vacancies,  viz..  Rev.  George  Hale,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J).  A. 
Cunningham,  John  K.  Findlay,  Archibald  Mclntyre,  James  T.  Young, 
Robert  Cornelius,  and  H.  Lenox  Hodge,  M.  D. 

The  Rev.  D.  C.  Lyon  offered  a  paper,  adopted  by  the  Synod  of  St. 
Paul,  relating  to  the  Welsh  Calvinistic  Methodists.  On  motion,  it  was 
referi-cd  to  a  Special  Committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  W.  C.  Roberts,  Rev. 
John  Hall,  I).  1).,  and  Ruling  Elder  John  T.  Nixon. 

The  Rev.  J.  Gillespie  ofi'ered  -a  paper,  stating  that  the  Rev.  Samuel  IL 
Thompson,  who  received  his  tl.eological  education  at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary  and  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  New  Brunswick,  but  has 
since  been  in  connection  with  a  Presbjtery  in  L-eland,  from  which  he  has 
brought  a  regular  certificate,  now  holds  a  call  to  a  church  in  the  Presby- 
tery of  Ohio;  whereupon  it  was,  Resohtd  that  in  the  special  circumstances 
of  this  case,  Mr.  Thompson  be  recognized  as  a  minister  in  regular  standing 
in  our  Church. 

The  Rev.  Robert  Beer,  from  the  Special  Committee  on  the  annuities 
devised  to  several  Boards  of  the  Church  by  the  late  Rev.  James  Coe,  re- 
ported as  follows,  and  the  report  was  adoj)tcd : 

The  Special  Committee,  to  which  were  referred  all  matters  pertaining  to 
certain  annuities  bequeathed  by  the  Rev.  James  Coe.  deceased,  to  the  five 
Boards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States,  known  and  des- 
ignated as  the  Old  School  Branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  viz  ,  the 
Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  Board  of  P^omestic  Missions,  Board  of  Educa- 
tion, Board  of  Publication,  and  Church  Extension  Committee ;  said  annu- 
ities being  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  per  annum  to  each  of  said 
Boards,  reports  as  follows : 

That  the  said  Boards  be,  and  are  hereby  directed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly to  execute  by  their  proper  officers  to  the  heirs  and  executors  of  the 
estate  of  James  Coe,  deceased,  a  full  release  of  all  their  claims  upon  said 
estate,  on  the  payment  by  said  heirs  and  executors  of  the  sum  of  one  thou- 
sand dollars  to  each  of  said  Boards. 

The  Assembly  proceedetl  to  elect  persons  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  Board 
of  Directors  of  the  Seminary  of  the  Northwest.  The  following  persons 
were  elected  : — Ministers — J,  M.  Buchanan,  D.  D.,  Robert  Patterson,  D.  D., 
J.  I>.  Mason,  S.  McC.  Anderson,  Robert  Beer.  RuUv<j  Elders — Jesse 
L.  Williams,  Charles  A.  Spring,  J.  C.  Grier,  S.  M.  Moore.  Charles  E. 
Vanderburg. 

Dr.  A.  G.  Hall,  from  the  Special  Committee  to  which  was  referred  the 
memorial  from  tlse  Board  of  Publication,  presented  a  report,  which  was 
adopted  unanimously,  and  is  as  follows: 


1156  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

The  Committee  to  which  was  referred  the  memorial  of  the  Board  of 
Publication  touching  the  order  of  the  General  Assembly,  in  May  last,  to 
the  said  Board,  to  pay  the  sum  of  $5,000  to  the  Committee  of  which  Dr. 
Humphrey  is  chairman,  appointed  by  the  Assembly  to  counsel  and  co- 
operate with  parties  to  a  suit  at  law,  involving  the  rights  of  property  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Kentucky,  respectfully  reports : 

1.  That  the  memorial  be  admitted  to  record  by  this  Assembly. 

2.  That  the  order  of  the  Assembly,  above  recited,  shall  not  be  hereafter 
regarded  as  a  precedent  for  any  appropriation  of  the  funds  of  said  Board, 
aside  from  the  legitimate  objects  of  their  creation. 

The  Memorial  above  referred  to  is  as  follows : 

The  Board  of  Publication  respectfully  begs  leave  to  lay  before  the 
General  Assembly  the  following  paper. 

Beloved  Fathers  and  Brethren. — In  obedience  to  the  injunctions  of 
your  venerable  body  at  its  late  sessions  in  the  City  of  New  York,  we  have 
paid  to  the  order  of  the  Committee  in  Kentucky,  of  which  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Humphrey  is  chairman,  the  sum  of  two  thousand  dollars;  that  being 
the  only  sum  the  Board  has  yet  been  called  on  to  pay  under  the  resolution 
of  the  Assembly. 

In  connection  with  this  subject  the  Board  asks  permission  very  respect- 
fully to  express  its  profound  and  conscientious  conviction  that  the 
appropriation  of  the  funds  of  the  Board  to  any  other  objects,  however 
excellent  and  praiseworthy  in  themselves,  than  that  of  furnishing  a  cheap 
and  sound  religious  literature,  is  in  serious  conflict  with  the  one  object 
aimed  at  in  the  organization  and  constitution  of  the  Board,  with  the 
principles  that  should  rule  in  the  control  of  funds  entrusted  by  the  Church 
to  the  management  of  the  Assembly,  and  with  the  express  directions  of  the 
Assembly  as  found  on  its  records  ;  and  that  such  appropriation  to  any  great 
extent  would  seriously  impede  the  Board  in  its  work. 

First.  It  is  in  conflict  with  the  one  object  aimed  at  in  the  organization 
and  constitution  of  the  Board.     This  appears  from  the  following  facts  : 

1.  At  the  organization  of  the  Board  in  1838,  the  General  Assembly  by 
formal  vote  accepted  the  office  and  'pro^^erty  of  the  Synodical  Tract  and 
Sabbath-School  Board  in  these  terms,  '"all  property,  houses,  lands,  tene- 
ments and  permanent  funds  belonging  to  said  Tract  and  Sabbath-School 
Board  shall  be  taken  in  the  name  of  the  Trustees  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  held  in  trust  by  them  for  the  use  of  the  Board  of  Publication,"  &c., 
(see  Digest,  pp.  419.)  This  property  was  subsequently  transferred,  by  au- 
thority of  the  General  Assembly,  to  the  Board  of  Publication,  and  has  ever 
since  formed  a  part  of  its  capital. 

To  what  work  the  Board  of  Publication  was  to  apply  itself  is  seen  in 
the  initial  "Resolution"  of  the  Assembly  upon  this  subject — to  "superin- 
tend and  conduct  by  its  own  proper  authority  the  work  of  furnishing  the 
churches  under  its  care  with  suitable  publicationi,"  &c.    Bic/e^t,  p.  400. 

2.  According  to  the  constitution  of  the  Board  the  object  for  which  it 
was  to  employ  funds  entrusted  to  its  management  was  the  publication  of 
"  such  works,  permanent  and  periodical,  as  are  adapted  to  promote  sound 
learning  and  true  religion."     £>i(/esf,  p.  402. 

And  in  1863  the  Assembly,  in  the  adoption  of  the  Report  of  the  Special 
Committee  on  the  Board,  aflirm  that  the  "great  work  for  which  the  Board 
was  primarily  established  was  to  advocate  the  principles  of  the  Reforma- 
tion, aud  to  spread  abroad  religious  truth,  &c.     Report^  p.  71. 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1157 

3.  In  the  year  1839,  a  fund  of  between  S30,000  and  S40,000  was  raised, 
and  put  into  the  hands  of  the  Board  ibr  this  work. 

It  thus  appears,  in  the  humble  but  confident  judgment  of  your  Board, 
that  the  Assembly  in  accepting  the  work  and  funds  of  the  Synodical 
Board,  and  making  this  Board  its  successor,  in  the  organization  and  con- 
stitution of  this  Board,  and  in  the  acceptance  of  the  fund  of  1839,  as  devoted 
to  this  purpose,  formally  pledged  itself  to  employ  said  funds  solely  in  the 
work  of  publishing  and  spreading  a  sound  religious  literature,  and  conse- 
quently that  the  approjiriation  above  mentioned  by  the  Assembly  in  May 
last,  was  a  departui-o  from  the  object  aimed  at  in  all  the  previous  action  of 
the  Assembly  in  this  important  branch  of  service. 

In  the  second  place,  as  to  the  principle  that  should  rule  in  the  manage- 
ment of  this  trust,  the  Board  is  fully  persuaded,  and  in  this  persuasion  it  is 
confirmed  by  the  judgment  of  eminent  jurists,  that  all  the  proceeds 
accruing  from  a  given  fund  through  its  legitimate  use,  whether  of  interest 
from  its  investments,  or  profits  on  sales,  as  well  as  any  additions  thereto  by 
donation,  are  to  be  as  sacredly  held  for  the  work,  for  which  the  original 
fund  was  contributed,  as  that  original  fund  itself.  And  therefore  the 
diversion  of  any  portion  of  these  funds  to  other  objects  is  a  grave  departure 
from  a  very  important  principle. 

In  the  third  place,  this  diversion  is  in  conflict  with  express  and  repeated 
directions  of  the  General  Assembly.  In  the  adoption  of  the  Report  of  the 
Special  Committee  on  the  affairs  of  the  Board  in  1863,  the  Assembly  thus 
expresses  itself,  "  Let  the  avails  of  rents  and  profits  be  expended  in  the 
Board's  henevolcnt  operations."  Rcpjort,  p.  71.  But  the  appropriation  of 
the  Assembly  of  last  May  withdrew  just  so  much  from  the  benevolent 
operations  of  the  Board.  Again,  the  Assembly  urges  the  Board  to  "  a 
rigid  system  of  economy  in  every  department  of  its  outlay,  so  as"  among 
other  things,  "  to  afford  their  publications  at  the  lowest  rate."  But  the 
above  appropriation,  in  so  ftir  as  it  goes,  is  in  direct  conflict  with  the  im- 
portant aim  of  reducing  the  price  of  the  publications  of  the  Board. 

Fourth,  That  such  appropriations,  aside  from  the  very  serious  principle  in- 
volved, made  to  any  great  extent,  would  seriously  interfere  with  the  w^ork  of 
the  Board,  is  obvious  from  the  fact  that  the  present  working  capital  of  the 
Board  is  barely  sufficient  to  enable  it  to  meet  tlie  claims  upon  it  with  that 
promptitude  which  has  thus  far  distinguished  its  operations.  The  average 
monthly  balance  in  its  hands  is  about  $12,000,  and  any  great  diminution 
of  this  sum  by  appropriation  to  other  objects  would  impede  and  mar  it* 
work. 

These  facts  and  considerations  the  Board  submits,  with  all  humility  and 
respect,  to  the  consideration  of  your  venerable  body,  and  it  requests  that, 
should  the  Assembly  coincide  with  the  Board  in  these  views,  you  would 
by  formal  vote  request  donations  for  the  purpose  of  replacing  the  amount 
thus  withdrawn,  and  appoint  a  Special  Committee  to  secure  the  necessary 
amount,  and  pass  a  resolution  to  the  effect  that  the  said  appropriation  shall 
not  be  held  as  a  precedent  for  future  action. 

This  course  has  been  suggested  by  the  voluntary  declaration  of  certain 
wealthy  members  of  our  beloved  Zion,  of  a  willingness  to  aid  in  the  con- 
tribution of  a  sum  for  this  object,  and  thus  relieve  this  whole  matter  of 
all  its  perplexities,  whether  of  principle  or  practical  inconvenience. 

By  order  of  the  Board  of  publication. 

WiLLARD  M.  Rice,  Recording   Clvrk. 

Philadelp>hia,  Oct.  26,  1869. 


1158  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

The  Uev.  Robert  Beer,  from  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures, 
asked  that  that  Committee  be  discharged  from  the  further  consideration  of 
the  paper  relating  to  a  new  Presbytery  in  Colorado.  The  request  was 
granted. 

On  motion  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Beer,  the  Commissioners  of  those  Pres- 
byteries which  have  not  reported  their  action  on  the  Overture  on  Reunion, 
sent  down  by  this  Assembly,  were  directed  now  to  present  to  the  Stated 
Clerk,  in  writing,  the  action  of  their  respective  Presbyteries  thereon. 

The  report  of  the  Stated  Clerk,  Rev.  A.  T.  McGill,  D.  D,,  on  the  vote 
of  the  Presbyteries,  was  read  and  amended,  so  as  simply  to  give  the  result 
of  the  vote,  after  which  it  wa^  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Presbyteries  in  connection  with  this  General  Assembly  have  all 
reported,  in  writing,  on  the  Overture  of  Reunion,  as  ordered  in  the  Brick 
Church,  at  New  York,  except  the  following  eleven,  viz.,  Austin,  Corisco, 
Knox,  Knoxville,  Maury,  Milwaukee,  Ogdensburgh,  Shantung,  Siam, 
Stockton,  and  Western  Africa.  The  Stated  Clerk  of  the  Santa  Fe  Presby- 
tery has  reported  by  letter  that  it  is  impossible  for  this  Presbytery  to  have 
a  meeting,  in  present  circumstances.  The  Presbyteries  of  Allahabad  and 
Canton  being  unable  to  meet  within  the  time  specified,  have  sent  circulars, 
signed  by  a  majority  of  each,  to  indicate  the  will  of  the  Presbytery,  in 
favour  of  the  Reunion,  as  now  proposed ;  but  these  are  not  counted,  in  de- 
claring the  result.  Another  Presbytery,  Lahore,  formed  by  the  Synod  of 
Northern  India,  in  December  last,  but  not  regularly  reported  as  yet  by  any 
ofi&cer  of  that  Synod,  has  sent  its  answer  to  this  Overture,  in  written  form, 
and  this  has  been  counted,  on  the  presumption  that  the  Assembly  will 
recognize,  at  this  meeting,  the  existence  of  that  Presbytery  on  the  roll. 

We  have  thus  07ie  hundred  and  forty-four  Presbyteries.  One  hundred 
and  hcenfy-dx  of  these  have  answered  the  Overture  sent  down  affirmatively, 
in  writing.  Three^  viz.,  Hudson,  Rio  de  Janeiro,  and  West  Lexington, 
have  answered  in  the  negative. 

On  motion,  it  was  ordered  that  the  Stated  Clerk  admit  to  record  the  an- 
swer of  the  Presbytery  of  Lahore  to  the  Overture  on  Reunion. 

The  Assembly  was,  on  motion,  led  in  prayer  by  Rev.  John  Hall,  D.  D., 
in  gratitude  for  the  result  of  the  negotiations  on  Reunion,  and  the  doxology 
was  sung. 

It  was  ordered  that  when  the  Assembly  adjourns,  it  be  to  three  o'clock 
this  aiternoon. 

After  prayer  by  Rev.  John  Hall,  D.  D.,  the  Assembly  adjourned  to 
three  o'clock  this  afternoon. 

THURSDAY  Afternoon,  3  o'clock. 

The  Assembly  was  opened  with  prayer  by  Rev.  Samuel  Miller,  D.  D. 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  overtures  asked  to  be  discharged  from 
further  consideration  of  the  papers  relating  to  a  German  Church  in  New 
Orleans.     The  request  was  granted. 

The  Rev.  J.  H.  M.  Knox.  D.  D.,  moved  that  the  petition  of  the  Rev. 
W.  S.  Harding,  of  the  Presbytery  of  St.  Paul;  Rev.  H.  P.  Peck,  of  the 
Presbytery  of  Chicago;  Rev.  Sheldon  Jackson,  of  the  Presbytery  of  South- 
ern Minnesota;  Rev.  C.  M.  Campbell,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Allegheny 
City;  Rev  A.  R.  Dny,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Dane,  and  such  other  ministers 
as  may  be  in  the  territories  of  Wyoming,  LTtah,  and  Montana,  labouring  in 
fields  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  be  organized  into  a  Presbytery  to  be 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1159 

called  the  Presbytery  of  Colorado,  in  connection  with  the  Synod  of  South- 
ern  Iowa,  be  granted,  and  the  desired  authority  be  given.     Carried. 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overturos  was,  on  its  own  request,  dis- 
charged from  the  duty  of  receiving  any  further  papers. 

The  Rev  J.  S.  McDonald,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Stockton,  made  an  un- 
official statement  with  reference  to  the  vote  of  that  Presbytery  on  Pteunion, 
to  the  effect  that  it  had  voted  in  favour  thereof,  although  no  official  com- 
munication on  the  subject  had  reached  the  Assembly. 

Rev.  James  Gardner  made  a  similar  statement,  with  reference  to  the 
action  of  the  Presbytery  of  Ogdensburg. 

Rev.  J.  H.  Barnard  made  a  similar  statement  in  regard  to  the  Presby- 
tery of  Milwaukee. 

It  was  ordered  that  these  statements  be  placed  upon  the  minutes. 

Rev.  A.  G.  Hall,  from  the  Joint  Committee  of  Conference,  reported  that 
arrangements  had  been  made  for  two  union  meetings  to-morrow. 

1.  In  the  Third  Church,  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M. 

2.  In  the  First  Church,  at  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  at  which  the  Sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  Supper  will  be  administered. 

Communications  were  received  from  the  Alexander  Presbyterian  Church, 
the  West  Spruce  Street  Church,  and  the  West  Arch  Street  Church,  all  in 
the  City  of  Philadelphia,  inviting  the  General  Assembly  of  1870  to  meet 
in  their  houses  of  worship.  On  motion  of  Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  I).,  the 
thanks  of  the  Assembly  were  voted  to  each  of  these  churches,  and  their 
invitations  were  referred  to  the  Joint  Committee  of  Conference. 

The  Rev.  A.  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  reported  a  paper  from  the  Stated  Clerks  of 
the  two  Synod  of  Kansas,  in  reference  to  the  union  of  those  two  Synods, 
and  their  time  of  meeting  next  year.  The  communication  was  referred  to 
a  Joint  Committee  on  Reconstruction,  to  be  hereafter  appointed. 

Rev.  W.  C.  Roberts,  from  a  Special  Committee,  moved  that  this  Assem- 
bly appoint  two  delegates  to  attend  the  General  x\ssembly  of  the  Welsh 
Calvinistic  Methodists,  soon  to  be  held  in  this  city.  On  motion  of  Dr. 
Blackwood,  Rev.  W.  C.  Roberts  and  Ruling  Elder  Mahlon  Mulford,  were 
appointed  delegates  to  said  Assembly. 

Ruling  Elder  Henry  Day  presented  a  report  from  the  Joint  Committee 
of  Conference,  which  was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Joint  Committee  of  Conference  on  Reunion  met  on  the  10th  day 
of  November,  1809,  at  the  Lecture  Room  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  following  resolutions  and  plans  of  procedure,  for  the  consummation 
of  the  Reunion  of  the  Churches  were  adopted,  and  recommended  as  proper 
to  be  passed  by  the  respective  Assemblies : 

1.  That  each  Assembly  should  declare  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  in 
the  following  language  : 

"  This  Assembly  having  received  and  examined  the  statements  of  the  votes 
of  the  several  Presbyteries,  on  the  basis  of  Reunion  of  the  two  bodies,  now 
claiming  the  name  and  rights  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  which  basis  is  in  the  words  following,  viz.,  '  The  Reunion 
shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  basis  of  our  common 
standards.  The  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  shall  be  acknow- 
ledged to  be  the  inspired  word  of  God,  and  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith 
and  practice.  The  Confession  of  Faith  shall  continue  to  be  sincerely  re- 
ceived and  adopted,  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  government  and  discipline  of  the   Presbyterian 


1160  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

Churcli  in  the  United  States  shall  be  approved,  as  containing  the  princi- 
ples and  rules  of  our  polity:'  Does  hereby  find  and  declare  that  the 
said  Basis  of  Reunion  has  been  approved  by  more  than  two-thirds  of  the 
Presbyteries  connected  with  this  branch  of  the  Church :  and  whereas  the 
other  branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
now  sitting  in  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  City  of  Pittsburgh, 
has  reported  to  this  Assembly  that  said  Basis  has  been  approved  by  more 
than  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries  connected  with  that  branch  of  the 
Church,  now,  therefore,  we  do  solemnly  declare  that  said  Basis  of  Reunion 
is  of  binding  force." 

2.  This  Committee  recommends  that  a  Special  Committee  of  five  from 
each  branch  of  the  Church,  shall  be  appointed  to  take  into  consideration 
the  afi"airs  of  each  of  the  Boards  and  Committees  of  both  branches  of  the 
Church,  and  to  recommend  to  the  Assembly  of  the  united  church,  next  to 
be  held,  what  changes  are  required  in  said  Boards  and  Committees. 

3.  That  each  Assembly  shall  also  pass  the  following :  Whereas,  it  is  ap- 
parent, from  the  size  of  the  two  Assemblies,  that  some  changes  must  be  made 
in  the  present  method  of  representation :  therefore,  Resolved^  That  each  of 
the  Assemblies  of  1869  shall  appoint  a  Committee  of  five,  to  constitute  a 
joint  committee  of  ten,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare  and  propose  to 
the  General  Assembly  of  the  united  church  a  proper  adjustment  of  the 
boundaries  of  the  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  and  the  ratio  of  representation, 
and  any  amendments  of  the  Constitution  which  they  may  think  necessary 
to  secure  efiiciency  and  harmony  in  the  administration  of  the  Church,  so 
greatly  enlarged,  and  so  rapidly  extending. 

4.  That  the  Assemblies  shall  meet  at  9  o'clock  on  Friday  morning  next, 
and  that  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  be  declared  in  each  Assembly  at  10 
o'clock,  and  that  each  Assembly  be  then  dissolved  in  the  usual  manner 
prescribed  by  the  Form  of  Government.  That  each  Assembly  shall  im- 
mediately repair  to  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  in  this  city,  there  to 
hold  a  joint  meeting  for  prayer  and  praise;  and  that  a  joint  communion 
service  be  held  on  the  same  day,  at  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon. 

That  all  business  before  each  Assembly  shall  be  concluded  this  (Thurs- 
day) evening,  and  no  new  business  taken  up  thereafter. 

5.  That  a  Committee  of  Arrangements,  consisting  of  two  from  each 
Church,  be  appointed  to  decide  upon  the  form,  manner,  and  place  of  our 
public  meeting,  and  to  prepare  a  statement  upon  the  subject  of  raising 
funds  for  the  use  of  the  Church,  which  shall  be  read  to  said  meeting.  It 
is  proposed  that  the  Rev.  A.  G.  Hall,  D.  D.,  Robert  Carter,  Esq.,  Rev.  S. 
W.  Fisher,  D.  D.,  and  William  E.  Dodge,  Esq.,  be  appointed  said  com- 
mittee. 

6.  That  the  first  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  united  church 
be  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  on 
the  third  Thursday  of  May,  A.  D.  1870,  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M. 

That  a  Committee  of  five  from  each  branch  of  the  Church  be  appointed 
to  take  into  consideration  the  subject  of  raising  funds  for  the  use  of  the 
united  church,  and  the  best  method  of  doing  this,  and  the  objects  to 
which  the  same  shall  be  devoted,  and  to  report  to  the  next  General 
Assembly. 

8.  That  a  joint  meeting  on  the  subject  of  Domestic  Missions  be  held 
this  evening,  at  the  First  Church,  and  a  meeting  on  the  subject  of  Foreign 
Missions  be  held  to-morrow  evening  in  the  Third  Church,  both  at  7  J 
o'clock,  P.  M. 

The  Moderator  announced  the  following  Committees,  called  for  by  the 
above  report. 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  IIGI 

1.  The  Committee  on  Reconstruction,  to  define  boundaries  of  Presbyteries 
and  Synods,  &c.  &c.,  Kev.  G.  W.  Musgrave,  D.  D.,  llev.  Charles  C.  Beatty, 
1).  D.,  Kev.  Cyrus  Dickson,  D.  D.  RuUmj  Elders^  Henry  Day  and  W.  M. 
Francis. 

2.  On  Foreign  Missions. — llev.  John  C.  Lowrie,  D.  D.,  l\cv.  William  M. 
Paxton,  D.  D.,  Rev.  S.  F.  Scovel,  D.D.  Rtdint/  Eiders,  John  B.  .Skinner 
and  Martin  Ryerson. 

3.  On  Domestic  Missions. — Rev.  G.  W.  jNIusgrave,  D.  D.,  Rev.  D.  A. 
Cunningham,  Rev.  D.  McKinney,  D.  D.,  Rev.  J.  T.  Backus,  D.  D.,  and 
Riding^Eldcr  IL  D.  Gregory. 

4.  On  Fuhlication.—WiiY.  W.  E.  Schenck,  D.  D.,  Rcv.W.  P.  Breed,  D.  D., 
Rev.  E.  R.  Craven,  D.  D.  Ruling  Elders,  George  Junkin  and  John  T. 
Nixon. 

5.  On  Educafion.—'Rey.  William  Speer,  D.  D.,  Rev.  S.  J.  Niccolls, 
D.  D.,  Rev.  S.  C.  Logan,  Rev.  George  Hill,  D.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elder  R.  S. 
Kennedy. 

6.  On  Church  Extension. --'Rev.  H.  R.  Wilson,  D.  D.,  Rev.  A.  A.  E. 
Taylor,  Rev.  Oscar  A.  Hills.  Riding  Elders,  J.  C  Havens  and  Jesse  L. 
Williams. 

7.  On  Disabled  3Iinisters'  Fund. — Rev.  George  Hale,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Alexan- 
der Reed,  D.  D.,  Rev.  T.  H.  Skinner,  Jr.,  D.  D.  Ruling  Elders,  Robert 
Carter  and  A.  B.  Belknap. 

8.  On  Freedme7i.—neY.  A.  C.  McCleland,  Rev.  E.  E.  Swift,  Rev.  A. 
McLean.     Riding  Elders,  John  McArthur,  and  J.  E.  Brown. 

9.  The  Committee  to  raise  Funds. — Rev.  John  Hall,  D.D.,  of  New  York. 
Rev.  C.  K.  Imbrie,  D.  D.  Ruling  Elders,  Winthrop  S.  Gilman,  Sr.,  Robert 
McKnight,  and  Hovey  K.  Clarke. 

Ruling  Elder  Morris  Patterson,  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  jMileage. 
presented  a  report,  which  was  adopted  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  on  Mileage  begs  leave  to  report  that  it  has  received 
from  the  several  Presbyteries  and  churches  the  sum  of  8935.41,  which  it 
has  divided  amongst  the  Commissioners  coming  to  this  Assembly,  who 
claim  mileage,  at  the  rate  of  five  cents  per  mile,  they  claiming  to  have 
travelled  15,750  miles,  amounting  in  gross  to  $787.50,  leaving  a  balance 
of  $147.91  in  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer. 

The  Committee  recommends  that  the  Assembly  direct  the  Trustees  to 
pay  the  said  amount  in  sums  as  herein  stated,  provided  that  no  Commis- 
sioner shall  receive  more  than  his  actual  expenses  in  coming  to,  or  going 
from  the  Assembly. 

Dr.  Musgrave  presented  the  following  resolution,  which  was  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  rejoicing  in  immediate  Reunion  of  the  Two  Presbyterian 
Churches,  so  long  separated,  we  would  gladly  hail  a  Pan-Presbyterian 
Union,  embracing  all  the  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  family  holding 
the  same  Confession  of  Faith. 

On  motion  of  Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  D.,  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Rev.  William  C.  Cattell,  D.  D.,  President  of  La- 
fayette College,  Pa.,  now  travelling  in  Europe,  be  appointed  a  Delegate  to 
represent  this  church  in  the  Conferences  of  the  Bohemian  Church  in  their 
Assembly  in  the  years  A.  D.  1869  and  1870. 

Ruling  Elder  Henry  Day  moved  that  a  Committee  of  three  be  appointed 
by  this  Assembly,  to  act  in  conjunction  with  a  similar  Committee  to  be 

Vol.  XYIIL— 147 


1162  MINUTES  OF  THE  [Supp. 

appointed  by  the  otlier  Assembly,  in  making  arrangements  for  the  meeting 
of  the  first  Assembly  of  the  united  church  in  Philadelphia.  The  motion 
was  carried,  and  the  Rev.  Alexander  Reed,  D.  I).,  with  Ruling  Elders 
Morris  Patterson  and  J.  A.  Gardner,  were  appointed  said  Committee. 

Rev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  D.,  offered  the  following,  which  was  adopted 
unanimously  by  a  rising  vote : 

Eesolved,  That  the  thanks  of  this  General  Assembly  are  hereby  returned 
to  the  Managers  of  the  several  Railroads  who  have  kindly  given  to  the  mem- 
bers return  tickets  free  of  charge ;  also  to  the  Trustees  of  tliis  Church  for  the 
use  of  the  edifice  in  which  the  meetings  of  the  Assembly  have  been  held ; 
also  to  the  Press  of  this  City  for  the  full  and  accurate  reports  which  they  have 
furnished  respecting  the  proceedings  of  the  body ;  also  to  the  citizens  and 
families  of  Pittsburgh,  Allegheny  and  vicinity,  for  the  kind  and  bountiful 
hospitality  with  which  the  members  of  the  Assembly  have  been  favoured. 

Ruling  Elder  Henry  Day  nioved,  and  it  was  carried,  that  a  Committee  of 
two  be  appointed  to  convey  to  the  other  Assembly  the  statement  of  the  vote 
of  the  Presbyteries  connected  with  this  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  Reunion, 
to-morrow  morning.  Rev.  G.  W.  Musgrave,  D.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elder 
Henry  Day  were  appointed  the  Committee. 

After  prayer  by  the  Moderator,  and  the  singing  of  the  doxology,  the 
Assembly  adjourned  to  9  o'clock,  to-morrow  morning. 


FRIDAY  MonNiNG,  Nov.  12,  1869. 

The  Assembly  met  at  9'oclock,  A.  M,,  and  was  opened  with  prayer  by 
the  Moderator.  The  Assembly  spent  fifteen  minutes  in  devotional  ex- 
ercises. 

The  minutes  of  yesterday  were  read  and  approved. 
A  deputation,  consisting  of  Rev.  S.  C  Aiken,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Z.  Hum- 
phrey, D.  D.,  and  Ruling  Elder  John  A.  Foote,  appeared  on  behalf  of  the 
General  Assembly  sitting  in  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  and  presented 
the  following,  on  the  answers  of  the  Presbyteries  of  that  branch  to  the  Over- 
ture on  the  Reunion  of  the  two  branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  report  was  as  follows : 

Pittsburgh,  November  12th,  1869, 
The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  holding  its  sessions  in 
the  Third  Presbyterian  Church,  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  holding  its  sessions  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church : 
We  hereby  certify  that  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  connected  with  this 
Assembly,  upon  the  Overture  in  regard  to  Reunion,  is  as  follows : 

In  favour  of  the  Overture  for  Reunion,  and  approving  the  same.  One 
Hundred  and  Thirteen  Presbyteries,  being  the  whole  number  in  connection 
with  this  body. 

We  therefore  certify  that  the  Basis  of  Reunion,  mentioned  in  the  said 
Overture,  is  unanimously  approved  by  the  Presbyteries  connected  with 
this  General  Assembly. 

J.  GlentWorth  Butler, 
Permanent  Clerh  of  the  General  Assembly  sitting  in  the 
Third  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  Moderator  responded  to  this  announcement  in  the  words  of  Isaiah, 
(chap.  52:  8,  9.) 


1869.]  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY.  1163 

Mr.  Henry  Day  moved  tlie  adoption  of  the  following  paper.  The  paper 
was  unanimously  adopted,  by  a  rising  vote,  as  follows  : 

This  A.ssenibly  having  received  and  esarained  the  statement  of  the  votes 
of  the  several  Presbyteries  on  the  basis  of  the  Reunion  of  the  two  bodies 
now  claiming  the  name  and  the  right  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States  of  America,  which  basis  is  in  the  words  following,  namely: 
"The  Union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical  basis  of 
our  eommou  standards;  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  Xew  Testament  shall 
be  acknowledged  to  be  the  inspired  word  of  God  and  the  only  infallible 
rule  of  faith  and  practice ;  the  Confession  of  Faith  shall  continue  to  be 
sincerely  received  and  adopted  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine  taught 
in  the  Holy  Scriptures;  and  the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  in  the  United  States,  shall  be  approved  as  containing  the 
principles  and  rules  of  our  polity:"  Does  hereby  find  and  declare  that  said 
basis  of  Union  has  becu  approved  by  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  Presby- 
teries connected  with  this  branch  of  the  Church — and  whereas  the  other 
branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  iu  the  Uuited  States,  now  sitting  in 
the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  City  of  Pittsburgh,  has  reported  to 
this  Assembly  that  said  basis  has  been  approved  by  more  than  two-thirds 
of  the  Presbyteries  connected  with  that  branch  of  the  Church: 

Now  THEREFORE  WE  DO  SOLEMNLY  DECLARE  THAT  SAID 
BASIS    OF   EeUNIOX    IS    OF   BINDING   FORCE. 

Piev.  R.  K.  Rodgers,  D.  D.,  moved  that  this  Assembly  he  now  dissolved, 
and  that  another  Assembly,  chosen  in  like  manner,  be  required  to  meet  at 
the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  on  the 
third  Thursday  of  May,  A.  D.  1870,  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M. 

The  motion  was  carried  and  the  Moderator  declared  the  Assembly  dis- 
solved, saying  from  the  chair  : — "  By  virtue  of  the  authority  delegated  to  me 
by  the  Church,  let  this  Greneral  Assembly  be  dissolved,  and  I  do  hereby  dis- 
solve it,  and  require  another  General  Assembly,  chosen  in  the  same  manner, 
to  meet  iu  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  Pa., 
on  the  third  Thursday  of  5lay,  A.  D.  1870,  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M." 

After  which  the  3Ioderator  offered  prayer,  the  doxology  was  sung,  and 
the  Apostolic  benediction  pronounced. 

WILLIAM  E.  SCHENCK, 

Permanent  Clerk. 
ALEXANDER  T.  McGILL, 

Stated  Clerk. 


INDEX. 


ALTERNATES,  in  absence  of  the  principals,  to  L6  enrolled,  1143. 

ASSEMBLY  opened,  1139;  next  place  of  meeting,  IIGO;  dissolved,  1163. 

BASIS  OF  REUNION  declared  of  binding  force,  1162. 

COE,  REV.  JAMES,  annuities  bequeathed  by  him  to  the  Boards  referred  to  a 
Special  Committee,  1153  ;  heirs  and  executors  to  be  released  from  paying 
the  annuities  on  the  payment  of  $1000  to  each  of  the  Boards,  1 155. 

COLORAt)0,  Presbytery  of,  authorized  to  be  formed,  1158. 

COMMITTEES  appointed  on  Reconstruction  of  the  Synods  and  Presbyteries, 
and  the  Boards  of  the  Church,  1161. 

DANVILLE  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  Report  of  the  Committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  General  Assembly  to  investigate  its  affairs,  1148;  cx- 
S:>nses  of  the  Committee  to  be  paid'  out  of  the  Seminary  funds,  1152; 
irectors  approve  of  the  former  action  of  the  Assembly,  1154;  Professors 
elected  to  fill  the  vacancies  in  the  Seminary,  1154. 

HEIDELBURG  CATECHISM,  a  Committee  appointed  to  consider  whether  it 
should  be  allowed  to  be  used  in  our  churches,  1154. 

LANDIS,  DR.  ROBERT,  resigns  his  professorship  in  the  Danville  Seminary, 
1148. 

McCORMICK,  CYRUS  II.,  released  from  payment  of  his  fourth  instalment  of 
$25,000,  offered  for  the  endowment  of  the  Northwestern  Seminary,  1147. 

MEMBERS,  Roll  of,  1139. 

NORTHWESTERN  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY,  Report  of  the  Special 
Committee  appointed  to  investigate  its  affairs,  1143;  expenses  of  the 
Committee  to  be  paid  out  of  the  Seminary  funds,  1152;  vacancies  in  the 
Board  of  Directors  filled,  1155. 

PUBLICATION,  BOARD  OF,  Memorial  in  regard  to  appropriation  of  its  funds 
referred  to  a  Committee,  1153;  Report  on  the  Memorial,  1156;  the  Me- 
morial, 1156. 

REUNION.  Matters  requiring  concurrent  action  to  be  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee of  Conference,  1143 ;  United  Assemblies  to  meet  in  the  Third 
Presbyterian  Church  for  prayer  and  praise,  1153;  in  the  First  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  1154  ;  Report  of  the  Committee  of  Conference  to  be  entered 
at  large  on  the  minutes,  1153:  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  on  Reunion, 
1158;  Union  meetings,  1159;  Report  of  Joint  Committee,  1159;  Com- 
mittees appointed  on  the  Reconstruction  of  Synods  and  Presbyteries, 
aud  ihe  several  Boards  of  the  Church,  1161;  Basis  of  Union  declared  to 
be  of  binding  force,  1162. 

SYSTEMATIC  BENEFICENCE,  Report  on  various  Plans,  published  by  the 

Board  of  Publication,   two   copies   to  be   sent  to  each  minister  of  our 

Church,  1155. 
THOMPSON,  REV.  SAMUEL  II.,  recognized  as  a  regular  minister  of  our 

Church,  1155. 
TRUSTEES    OF    THE  GENERAL    ASSEMBLY.     Committee   appointed  to 

make  nominations  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  Board,  1148;  Members  elected, 

1155. 
WELSH  CALVINISTIC  METHODISTS,  Paper  in  regard  to,  referred  to  a 

Committee,  1155;  Delegates  appointed,  1159. 


THE  REUNION  CONVENTION. 


Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  Friday,  Kovemhcr  12,  1869. 

The  two  General  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  meeting  re- 
spectively in  the  First  and  Third  Churches  of  Pittsbur-h,  Pa.,  having 
both  been  in  due  form  dissolved  on  Friday,  November  12th,  18(39,  at  10 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  a  Joint  Convention,  in  accordance  with  previous  mu- 
tual agreement,  was  held  immediately  after  in  the  Third  Church. 

The''  members  of  the  late  New-school  Assembly,  preceded  by  their 
VIoderator,  Clerks,  and  Pteunion  Committee,  formed  in  order,  two  by  two, 
and  proceeded  from  the  Third  Church,  down  Sixth  Avenue  to  Wood 
street,  and  took  position  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  opposite  to  the  First 
Church.  At  the  same  time,  the  members  of  the  late  Old-school  Assem- 
bly preceded,  in  like  manner,  by  their  Moderator,  Clerks,  and  Pteunion 
Committee,  came  forth  from  the  First  Church,  and  took  position  op  the 
oast  side  of  the  street,  directly  opposite  the  other  column,  the  head  of  each 
line  looking  south,  towards  Fifth  Avenue. 

The  following  eentlemen  had  been  appointed,  and  consented  to  serve  as 
Marshals  of  the^Day.  General  J.  K.  3Ioorhead,  and  Messrs.  John  D. 
McCord,  William  Eea,  and  George  H.  Stuart. 

The  sio-nal  for  the  march  having  been  given,  the  two  Moderators  met 
in  the  middle  of  the  street,  shook  hands,  and  joined  arms:  as  was  done, 
also,  by  the  Stated  Clerks,  the  Permanent  and  Temporary  Clerks,  the  two 
Reunion  Committees,  and  the  remainder  of  the  two  columns— the  joint 
procession  moving  forward  two  by  two,  Old  and  New-school,  down  Wood 
street,  and  up  Fifth  Avenue,  Smithfield  street,  and  Sixth  Avenue  (the 
whole  distance  attended  by  a  rejoicing  crowd  of  people),  to  the  Third 
Church. 

As  the  procession  entered  by  the  right  middle  aisle,  the  noble  hymn,— 

"Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow,"  &c? 
was  sun-  by  the  choir  and  the  ladies  who  had  been  previously  admitted  to 
seats  assiirncd  them.  The  greater  part  of  the  procession  found  seats  on  the 
immense  "platform,  occupying  the  southern  end  of  the  church,  the  re- 
mainder occupying  the  pews  in  front  of  the  platform.  After  which  the 
doors  were  opened,  and  the  house  was  immediately  thronged  to  its  utmost 
capacity.  •       j  p 

The  services  commenced  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  and  were  continued  tor 
more  than  three  hours.  Addresses  were  made  by  the  Moderators  and 
others,  both  ministers  and  elders  previously  designated,  intermingled  with 
prayer  and  songs  of  devout  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  reported  in  behalf  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Arrangements,  by  the  Rev.  S.  W.  Fisher,  D.  D.,  LL.D.,  were 
passed  unanimously : 


1166  APPENDIX. 


PREAMBLE  AND  RESOLUTIONS  ADOPTED  IN  JOINT  CONVENTION 
BY  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  TWO  ASSEMBLIES,  Nov.  12,  1869. 

In  the  Providence  of  Grod,  the  two  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  after  a  separation  of  more  than 
thirty  years,  are  again  united.  This  event,  in  its  magnitude,  is  unparal- 
leled in  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  this  country  and  almost  of  the  world. 
It  evidences  to  all  men  the  presence  and  unifying  power  of  the  Divine 
Spirit.  A  foct  so  remarkable  and  significant  attracts  interest  and  creates 
expectation  among  even  worldly  minds.  It  awakens  the  sympathies  and 
the  hopes  of  all  who  truly  love  Christ  among  other  denominations.  It 
awakens  hope,  since  it  illustrates  the  evident  purpose  of  God  to  bring  all 
his  followers  into  closer  union  in  spirit,  combine  them  in  action  for  the 
overthrow  of  error  and  the  diffusion  of  his  truth;  it  awakens  expectation, 
since  they  justly  anticipate,  on  our  part,  from  this  union  of  resources, 
spirit,  and  action,  a  far  more  vigorous  assault  upon  the  forces  of  darkness, 
and  more  decided  efforts  to  spread  the  gospel  among  all  classes  in  our  own 
and  other  lands. 

To  us,  as  a  Church,  it  is  an  era  in  our  history  most  memorable  and 
hopeful;  memorable,  as  it  signalizes  the  triumph  of  faith  and  love  over 
the  strifes  and  jealousies  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century;  hopeful, 
since  it  is  not  the  result  of  decadence  and  torpor,  but  of  progress  and 
augmented  strength.  It  buries  the  suspicions  and  the  rivalries  of  the 
past  with  the  sad  necessity  of  magnifying  our  differences  in  order  to  jus- 
tify our  separation.  It  banishes  the  spirit  of  division,  the  natural  foe  of 
true  progress.  In  this  union  are  seen  the  outfiashing  of  a  divine  purpose 
to  lead  us  on  to  greater  self-sacrifice,  and  a  more  entire  consecration  to  the 
evangelization  of  the  world.  God  has  elevated  us  to  this  commanding 
position,  that  we  may  see  his  glory,  and  in  the  strengthened  faith  it 
inspires,  devote  our  united  resources  more  directly  and  efficiently  to  the 
salvation  of  men.  New  and  grander  responsibilities  rest  upon  us.  Jesus 
summons  us  to  a  holier  fiiith  and  more  perfect  consecration.  He  summons 
this  Church  to  answer  his  loving-kindness  by  deeds  commensurate  with  our 
renewed  resources.  The  times  are  auspicious;  everywhere  peace  reigns; 
the  gates  are  open,  and  the  millions  of  our  own  and  other  lands  wait  for 
the  gospel.  Our  position  is  commanding;  our  resources  great;  our 
methods  of  action  well  settled,  simple,  and  efficient.  The  Spirit  of  God 
that  has  united  us  will  inspire,  direct,  and  bless  our  efforts.  While  we 
maintain  the  faith  v/hich  Paul  so  fully  unfolded,  and  our  Church,  in  the 
centuries  past,  has,  through  manifold  persecution  and  martyrdom,  so  glo- 
riously upheld,  we  are  summoned,  as  by  the  will  of  God,  to  arise  and 
build,  to  form  new,  broader,  and  bolder  plans  for  the  extension  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  to  enter  upon  and  execute  them  with  apostolic  enthusiasm. 

Let  us  then,  the  ministers,  elders,  and  members  of  this  Cluirch  here 
assembled,  as,  in  spirit,  standing  in  the  presence  of  and  representing  the 
entire  body  of  believers  in  our  connection,  and  the  beloved  missionaries  in 
foreign  lands  who  now  await,  with  tender  and  prayerful  interest,  this  con- 
summation of  our  union, — let  us,  in  humble  dependence  upon  our  dear 
liedeemer,  with  deep  humility  in  view  of  our  past  inefficiency  and  present 
unworthiness,  and  as  an  expression  of  our  devout  gratitude  to  Him  who 
has  brought  this  once  dissevered,  now  united  Church  up  to  this  Muvnt  of 
Travsfifjin-ation,  signalize  this  most  blessed  and  joyous  union  with  an 
offering  in  some  good  degree  commensurate  with  the  abundant  pecuniary 
gift^  that  He  has  bestowed  on  us.     And,  to  this  end,  be  it 


APPENDIX.  1167 

Jicsohed,  That  it  is  incumbent  on  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
United  States  of  America,  one  in  organization,  one  in  faith,  and  one  in 
effort,  to  make  a  spkcial  offertncs,  to  the  treasury  of  tlie  Lord,  of 
FIVE  MILLIONS  OF  DOLLAllS  :  and  we  pledge  ourselves,  first  of  all, 
to  seek  in  our  daily  petitions  the  blessing  of  God  to  make  this  resolution 
effectual;  and  second,  that  we  will,  with  untiring  perseverance  and  per- 
sonal effort,  endeavour  to  animate  the  whole  Church  with  the  purpose  to 
secure  the  accomplishment  of  this  great  work  before  the  third  Thursday 
of  May,  1871. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Assemblies  of  1869  be 
requested  to  publish  this  paper,  with  the  names  of  the  Moderators,  Clerks, 
the  Joint  Committee  on  Keunion,  and  the  Commissioners  now  in  attend- 
ance, appended  thereto. 

At  So  o'clock,  P.  M.,  the  Convention  united  in  the  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  at  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  which  also  was  thronged 
in  every  part. 


V. 
MINUTES 


ASsevr\o\V'-      \<^--^-'        s'l- 


GENERAL  ASSEMBLY 


PRESBYTERIAN      CHURCH 


UNITED    STATES   OF  AMERICA 


APPENDIX 


I  AD.TOTjrtN  Er>    ]MEETIN"G-.] 


VOL.  XV.     A.D.  1869. 


NEW- YORK: 

PRTCSBYTERIAN-    FXJBLIC^TIOlSr     COMiNIITTEin, 

BY     THE    STATED    CLERK. 
S.  W.  Green,  Peinter,  cor.  of  Jacob  akd  Frankfort  Streets. 

1869. 


OFFICERS. 


REA'.   PHILEMON    11.   FOWLEIl,    D.D.,  Moderator,   Utica, 

Xem'-York. 
IlEV.  EDWIX   F.  HATFIELD,    D.D.,  Stated  Clerk,  No.  149 

"West  Tiiiuty-Foukth  Street,  Xew-Yoek  City,  N.  Y. 
REV.  J.  GLENT WORTH  BUTLER,  D.D.,  Permanent   Clerk; 

No.  27  Bible  House,  NEW-Yorac  City,  N.  Y. 

REY.  GEO.  A.  HOWARD,  D.D.,  i  Tempo-  ^  Catskill,  N.  Y. 

<     rary     > 
REY.  WILLIAM  E.  MOORE,   (  Clerhs,   )  AYest-Ciiestek,Pa. 

MR.  WILLIAM  A.  BOOTH,  Treasurer,  Neaa-Youk  City,  N.  Y. 


MINUTES,  ETC. 


PITTSBURGH,  PA.,  November  lOth,  1869. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
THE  United  States  of  America  met,  agreeably  to  adjournment, 
in  the  Third  Presbyterian  Clnirch  of  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  on 
Wednesday,  the  1 0th  of  November,  1869,  at  11  o'clock  A.M., 
and,  having  occupied  half  an  hour  in  devotional  exercises,  was 
ojicned  with  pi'aycr  by  the  Moderator. 

The  roll  was  then  called,  and  the  following  persons  were  found 
to  be  present : 


PRESBYTERIES. 


MINISTERS. 


1.  Cliamplain^ 

2.  Troy, 

3.  Albany, 

4.  Columbia, 
o.  CaUl-ill, 


I.     SYNOD   OF  ALBANY. 
George  T.  Everest. 


Henry  Darling,  D.D., 
David  R.  Frazer. 
Georjre  A.  Howard. 


Elijah  G.  Atwood. 
William  P.  Bliss. 
Samuel  Anable. 


II.     SYNOD    OF    UTICA. 

1.  St.  Lawrence,        John  Waugh. 

2.  Watertoion,  John  B.  Preston,  William  P.  Massey,  M.D. 
8.   Oswego,                  Henry  N.  Millerd,                Daniel  W.  Ingersoll. 

4.    Utica,  Philemon  II.  Fowler,  D.D., 

S.  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Thomas  Williams. 


1 .  Onondaga, 

2.  Cayuga, 

3.  Cortland, 

4.  Tioga. 


HI.     SYNOD     OF     ONONDAGA. 

Sherman  B.  Canfield,  D.D. 

Ezra  A.  Huntington,  D.D.,  Sylvester  Willard,  M.D., 


Marcus  N.  Preston, 
John  V.  C.  Nellis. 


Hon.  John  Porter. 


482 


MINUTES    OF    THE 


[Nov.  lOtl), 


PUESBTYERIES. 

1.  Geneva^ 

2.  Steiihen, 

3.  Chemung, 

4.  Itlincn, 

5.  Wellsborough, 
G.  Lijons, 


IV. 


MINISTERS. 

SYNOD    OF    GENEVA. 


David  Magie,  Harvey  Rice, 

Ebenezer  B.  Jones. 
Joel  Wakeman,  D.D.,  Paul  C.  Howe. 

Augustus  W.  Cowles,  D.D.,Hon.  William  T.  Jackson. 
Alexander  0.  Peloubet,       Abram  G.  Opdyke. 
Frederick  Graves,  Hon.  Henry  W.  Williams. 

Robert  E.  Willson,  Henrv  M.  Clark. 


V.     SYNOD   OF   SUSQUEHANNA. 

1.  Otsego,  Charles  Gillette. 

2.  Chenango,  Sumner  Mandeville. 

3.  Delaware,  Cliarles  H.  De  Long,  Marsena  Benedict. 


VI. 


Buffalo, 
Ontario, 
Rochester, 

Oenesee, 
Niagara, 
Genesee  Valley, 


SYNOD    OF    GEI^ESEE. 
D.D., 


Albert  T.  Chester,  D.D.,  Gcm-ge  W.  Tew. 

Levi  Parsons,  Onin  S.  Gilbert. 

James  B.  Shaw,  D.D.,  Frederick  Starr, 
Alexander  McA.  Thorburn,Louis  Chapin. 
John  Wickes. 

Edward  Payson  Marvin,  William  F.  Evans 
Corliss  B.  Gardner. 


VII.     SYNOD    OF    NEW-YORK    AND    NEW-JERSEY 


1.  Hudson, 

2.  North  River, 

3.  Long  Island, 

4.  NeiD-Yorl;  'id. 


5.  New-Yorh,  4th, 


Ct.  Broohlyn, 

7.  Newark, 


8.  Rocl~away, 
SI.  Montrose, 

10.  South- Carolina, 


George  Pierson, 
Edgar  W.  Clark, 
Epher  W^hitaker, 
Robt.  Russell  Booth,  D.D., 
Thomas  Street, 
James  B.  Bonar, 
W^iiiiani     Adams,     D.D., 

LL.D., 
Howard  Crosby,  D.D., 
Samuel  Carlile, 

Jonathan  F.  Stearn.s,  D.D. 
Charles  T.  Hale}', 


Charles  S.  Dunning 
Jacob  G.  Miller. 
Silas  McKinney. 


Jesse  Roe. 
George  Bates. 
Stuart  T.  Terry. 
Stephen  H.  Thayer. 


Hon.  William  E.  Dodge, 
George  W.  Lane, 
AVilliam  A.  Cummings. 
Nathan  Lane. 
Harrison  Teller,  M.D. 
,William  F.  Van  Wagenen, 
Hiram  B.  Littell, 
Frederick  G.  Burnham. 
Hon.  Daniel  Haines. 


VIH.     SYNOD    OF    PENNSYLVANIA. 


1.  Wilmington,         John  Patton,  D.D.,  Edward  T.  Taylor. 

2.  Fhiladel2}hia,  Sd,  William  E.  Moore,  Hon.  William  Strong. 

Z.  M.  Hnmphrej^  D.D., 

3.  Fhiladelphia,  4^7(,Robert  Adair,  Samuel  T.  Bodine, 

Richard,. \llen,  D.D. ,  Charles  M.  Lukens, 

Herrick  Johnson,  D.D.,  Peter  L.  Krider. 

4.  Harrishurgh,         Conway  P.  Wing,  D.D.,  Peter  Wilson. 

5.  Dist.  of  Coht)nl)ia,Bjron  Sunderland,  D.D.,  J.  Paris  Moore. 


A.D.  1869. 


GENERAL    ASSEMBLY. 


483 


rUKSBYTKlUEH.  MINISTERS.  EI.DEHS. 

IX.     SYNOD    OF    WEST-PENNSYLVANIA. 


1.  Erie, 

'2.   McadviUe, 

:'..  Pittsburgh, 


(jcorgo  W.  Cleaveland, 
Richard  Craighead, 
William  T.  Wylie, 


Absalom  M.  Carson. 

Daniel  Uber. 

William  C.  Aughinbaiigh. 


X.     SYNOD    OF    MICHIGAN. 


Detroit, 

Monroe, 

Marshall, 

WashtenmP, 

Kalamazoo, 

Cold  ^Yatcr, 

Saginaxo, 


Albert  E.  Hastings, 

Thomas  Sherrard, , 
Gustavus  L.  Foster, 
John  Sailor, 

Archibald  McSween, 


Grand  EiverYal.,ljomi.  Mills, 
Lansing,  J.  Evarts  'Weed, 


Hon.  Jacob  S.  Farrand. 

Hon.  George  H.  French 
Gershom  B.  Gillett. 
Daniel  0.  Roberts. 
Albert  A.  Luce. 
Youngs  E.  Benton. 
Henry  Griffin. 
Joseph  Mills. 


XI.     SYNOD    OF    WESTERN    RESERVE. 


Grand  River, 
Huron, 
Trumbull, 
Cleveland  and 

Poi'tage, 
Maumee. 


Dwight  K.  Steele, 
William  T.  Hart. 
Xenophon  Betts, 
Samuel  C.  Aiken,  D.D. 
James  Shaw,  D.D., 


Oramell  H.  Fitch. 

Jonathan  Warner. 
Hon.  John  A.  Foot, 
Thomas  D.  Crosby. 


1.  Athens, 

2.  Pataslcala, 

3.  Franklin, 

4.  Scioto, 


Xn.     SYNOD    OF    OHIO. 

Henry  W.  Ballantine,  Marcus  Bosworlh. 

Addison  Kingsbury,  D.D.,  Timothy  Rose. 
John  W.  Thompson,  John  McElroy. 

E.  Perkins  Pratt,  D.D.,       David  C.  Anderson. 


1.  Cincinnati, 

2.  Ripley, 

3.  Dayton, 

4.  Hamilton, 


XIII.     SYNOD    OF    CINCINNATL 

Cornelius  H.  Taylor,  D.D., Guernsey  Y.  Roots. 
George  M.  Maxwell,  D.D., 
Henry  Osborn,  John  West. 

Rollin  A.  Sawyer,  Daniel  Keifer. 

Benjamin  W.  Chidlaw,        John  Irwin. 


1.  Salem, 

2.  Madison, 

3.  Indianapolis, 

4.  Green  Castle, 


XIV.     SYNOD    OF    INDIANA. 


Charles  Hutchinson, 
Manuel  J.  Drennan. 
Alexander  Parker. 
Blackford  Condit, 


Joseph  I;OUghmillcr. 


R.  Wilds  Jones. 


Cra  wfordsv  ille, 
St.  Josej)h, 
Logansport, 
Fort  Wayne, 


XV.     SYNOD    OF 

Caleb  Mills,  LL.D., 
George  C.  Noyes. 
Amos  Jones. 
Henry  L.  Brown, 


WABASH. 

John  Foster. 

Hon.  John  L.  Knight. 


484 


MINUTES    OF   THE 


[Nov.  lOth, 


PRESBYTERIES.  MINISTERS.  ELDERS. 

XVI.     SYNOD    OF    ILLINOIS. 


1.  Illinois^ 

2.  Schmjlei\ 
8.  Wabash, 
4.  Alton, 


Smith  H.  Hyde, 
William  AV.  AVhipple. 
Russell  D.  Van  Deursen, 
James  W.  Stark, 


John  Crocker. 

Eben  H.  Palmer. 
David  E.  Beatty, 
Lewis  Potter. 


Ottawa, 
Knox, 
Galena  and 
Belviclcrc, 
Chicago, 

Bloomington, 


MilicaxiTcee, 
Fox  River. 
Columbus, 
Lake  Siqurior 


XVIL     SYNOD    OF    PEORIA. 

Edward  H.  Curtis. 

Josiah  Leonard,  Thomas  Wilson, 

Calvin  A.  Shaw. 
Robert  W.  Patterson,  D.D.,Claudius  B.  Nelson, 
Arthur  Mitchell,  Royal  E.  Barber. 

Charles  II.  Palmer,  Benjamin  E.  Miles. 

XVIIL     SYNOD   OF   WISCONSIN. 

John  Martin,  Owen  R.  Bacon. 

Warren  Mayo,  Ephraim  G.  Stitt. 

XIX.     SYNOD    OF    IOWA. 


Des  Moines. 

Keokul: 

loica  City, 

Dubuque. 

Chariton, 

Cedar  Rapids, 

Omaha. 


Abner  D.  Chapman, 


William  Ballantyne. 


John  Fisher. 

John  Summers,  Benjamin  K.  Adams. 


Manhato, 
Minnesota. 
Winona, 
Dalcota. 


XX.    SYNOD    OF    MINNESOTA. 


Moses  N.  Adams, 

Delos  E.  Wells, 
Stephen  R.  Riggs. 


AVilliam  P.  McMasters. 
Andrew  B.  Coe. 


XXI.     SYNOD    OF    MISSOURL 


1.  St.  Louis, 

2.  North'n  ^l/moi<r?,Thomas  H.  Tatlow, 
8.  Lexington,  Elijah  A.  Carson, 
4.    Osage,                    Seth  G.  Clark, 


James  M.  Brawner. 
Homer  H.  Winchell. 
Charles  F.  Smith. 
G.  Whitelow  Shield. 


1.  Kansas, 

2.  Humboldt, 

3.  Smol-y  Llill, 


XXn.     SYNOD    OF    KANSAS. 


Victor  M.  King. 
James  Lewis. 
J.  Levis  Jones, 


Benj.  F.  Thayer.  M.D. 


A.l).    1SG9.]  r.ENEnAL    ASSEMKLY.  485 

rHESllYTEllIES.  MINISTEUS.  EI.DEKS. 

XXIII.     SYNOD    OF    TENNESSEE. 

1.  Union^  Isaac  Emory,  Bcnj.  A.  Blackburn. 

2.  Kingston,  '  AVil'liam  S.  Patton. 
;{.  Ilobton,                 Nathan  Bachman. 

XXIV.     SYNOD    OF    ALTA    CALIFORNIA. 

1.  San  Francisco. 

2.  Xevada. 

;5.  Sa7i  Josi',  "William  W.  Brior,  David  Iluber. 

CORRESPONDING    BODIES. 

1.    General  Assemhbj  of  the  other    Rev.  Charles  C.  Beatt}-,  DD.,  LL.D., 
Branch,  Rev.  George  W.  Musgrave,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

Several  persons  ap])eared  with  new  commissions,  and  llieir  case 
was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Commissions. 

The  Committee  of  Arrangements  reported,  recommending  that 
the  morning  session  open  at  9  o'clock  A.M.,  and  close  at  12 
o'clock  M. ;  that  the  afternoon  session  open  at  24-  o'clock,  and 
close  at  5  o'clock  P.M. ;  and  that  the  first  hour  of  the  morning 
session  be  occupied  with  devotional  exercises. 

The  report  was  adopted. 

Tlie  Stated  Clerk  presented  the  Report  of  the  Presbyteries  on 
the  Overture  for  Re-union,  as  follows  : 

Report  of  the  Stated  Clerk  of*the  General  Assembly  of  tlie 
Presbyterian  Church  in  tlie  United  States  of  America,  on  the 
answers  of  the  Presbyteries  to  tlie  Overtures  on  the  Re-union  of 
the  two  Branches  of  the  Church  ; 

Tlie  number  of  Presbyteries  connected  with  this  General  As- 
sembly is  one  hundred  and  thirteen.  Official  responses  have 
been  received  from  every  one  of  them.  Tliey  have  all  ansxcereO 
the  overture  in  the  affirmative.  In  each  of  the  Presbyteries  of 
Albany,  Wellsboro,  and  the  District  of  Columbia  a  single  nega- 
tive vote  was  cast.  In  each  of  the  remaining  one  hundred  .and 
ten  Presbyteries  the  vote  was  imaninious. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

Edavix  F.  Hatfield,  /Stated  Cler/.: 
PiiTsnuRGii,  Pa.,  Xov.  10th,  1869. 

The  Assembly  united  in  prayer  and  thanksgiving  to  Go<l  for 
this  auspicious  result. 

The  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Aiken,  D.l).,  Rev.  Zephaniah  M.  Humphrey, 
D.D.,  and  Hon.  .lohn  xV.  Foot  weie  appointed  to  announce  to 
tlie  other  Assembly  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  of  this  body  on 
the  Overture  for  Re-union. 


486  MINUTES    OF    THE  [NoV.   lOtll, 

Mr.  Henry  Day  appeared  as  a  Deputation  from  the  other  As- 
sembly to  communicate  their  action  with  reference  to  the  recep- 
tion of  new  Commissioners,  as  follows,  namely,  "Tliat  alternates, 
chosen  before  the  meeting  in  May  last,  take  the  place  of  absent 
jn-incipals;  and  also  that  principals  take  the  place  of  enrolled 
(absent)  alternates."    "Whereupon, 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions  Avere  adopted:  Having 
already  referred  the  new  Commissions  to  the  Committee  on  Com- 
missions, and  having  since  received  a  communication  from  the 
General  Assembly,  now  meeting  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
relative  to  the  subject  of  the  constituency  of  the  present  Assem- 
blies ;  therefore  be  it  resolved,  that  the  Hon.  William  Strong,  Hon. 
Daniel  Haines,  and  Mr.  Frederick  G.  Burnham  be  added  to  the 
Committee  on  Commissions,  to  whom  the  whole  subject  sliall  bo 
referred. 

Besolved^  That  all  matters  requiring  the  concurrent  action  of 
the  two  Assemblies  be  referred  to  the  Joint  Committee  of  Con- 
ference on  Re-union,  to  report  to  the  Assemblies,  respectively, 
the  mode  of  procedure,  and  also  to  report  a  programme  of  joint 
religious  services. 

Adjourned  until  'S  o'clock  P.iM. 


WEDNESDAY,  November  lOtli,  ?^  o'clocb  P.M. 

The  Assembly  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  sessfon  were  read  and  approved. 

The  Committee,  to  whom  the  Commissions  of  new  members  were 
referred,  reported,  recommending  that  the  following  persons, 
liaving  furnished  evidence  of  appointment  by  their  respective 
Presbyteries,  in  accordance  with  the  rule  previously  adopted  by 
this  Assembly,  be  enrolled  as  members  of  this  body  : 

Ohamplain^ 
Troy, 

Catskill, 

Utica, 

Tioga^ 

Geneva, 

Otsego, 

Buffalo, 

Genesee  Valley, 

Brooklyn, 

JVeicark, 

liockaway, 

Montrose, 

Monroe, 


R.  S.  Gate, 

Elder. 

Asaliel  Bronson, 

Min. 

Samuel  M.  Wood, 

Min. 

Henry  Waterburv, 

Elder. 

John  0.  Gallup,  M.D., 

Elder. 

David  D.  Gregory, 

Min. 

Samuel  H.  Gndley,  D.D., 

Min. 

Parker  Scott, 

Elder. 

Horace  P.  Bogue, 

Min. 

Elijah  II.  Dan  forth, 

Elder. 

Hon.  Alfred  Lockhart. 

Elder. 

Theodore  S.  Brown, 

Min. 

James  P.  Wilson,  D.D., 

Mill. 

Elijah  W.  Stoddard, 

Min. 

James  Dixon, 

Elder. 

Joseph  Zwindt, 

Min. 

Enoch  Tindall, 

Elder. 

A.D.  18G9.] 

GENERAL    ASSEMULV. 

Manmee, 

James  W.  Ross, 

Elder. 

Madison, 

Edwin  C.  Whitney, 

Elder. 

Schui/Ier, 

Clark  H.  Church, 

Elder. 

Altai,, 

George  I.  King,  D.D., 

Min. 

Knox, 

Lucius  L.  Da}-, 

Elder. 

Qalena  and  Belvidere, 

John  McLain, 

Min. 

Omaha, 

John  M.  Peebles, 

Min. 

Minnesota; 

Edward  ]?.  Wright, 

Min. 

Henry  M.  Knox, 

Elder. 

Saint  Louis, 

Charles  A.  Dickey, 

Min. 

487 


The  report  Avas  adopted. 

The  lion.  William  Strong  was  appointed  to  conimnnicate  to 
the  other  Assembly  the  action  of  this  Assembly  on  the  reception 
of  new  Commissioners  at  this  adjourned  meeting. 

The  Special  Committee  to  whom  Avas  referred  a  paper  on  the 
subject  of  Amusements  presented  their  report,  which  Avas  adopted, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

The  question  of  popular  amusements  is  one  that  cannot  be 
settled  by  statute.  It  has  to  do  with  the  spirit  and  the  life  of 
Christianity,  rather  than  Avith  the  letter  of  its  laAV.  Hence  the 
impossibility  of  specific  enactment.  But  the  very  fact  of  its  near 
and  vital  connection  Avith  spiritual  life  justifies,  and  demands  for 
it,  a  tlioughtful  consideration. 

What  scriptural  guidance  have  Ave  in  the  matter?  What 
posture  ought  the  Church  to  assume  towards  so-called  popular 
amusements?  A  sweeping  condemnation  of  them  Avould  be  a 
sweeping  folly.  To  say  of  them  all,  that  they  are  inherently  and 
positively  sinful,  is  simply  to  say  Avhat  is  not  true.  And  to  pro- 
test against  suitable  recreation  Avould  be  to  protest  against  a 
mental  and  moral  necessity.  A  long-visaged  and  sombre-hued 
piety  is  not  after  the  order  of  the  Gospel.  That  makes  recog- 
nition of  the  laugh,  the  joy  of  life;  has  no  frown  for  the  play-side 
of  our  nature;  bids  us  serve  the  Lord  Avith  gladness.  Js^oAvhere 
so  much  as  in  the  heart  of  God's  people  should  joy  have  her  home, 
and  go  rippling  out  in  the  channels  of  deed  and  speech. 

But  Avhat  is  suitable  Christian  recreation?  We  are  without  a 
specific  "  Thus  saith  the  Lord"  for  each  specific  form  of  pleasure. 
But  this  is  by  no  means  to  acknowledge  that  Ave  are  Avithout 
scriptural  guidance.  The  spirit  is  broader  and  deeper  than  the 
letter.  There  are  general  principles  Avhose  profound  and  subtle 
reach  makes  it  impossible  that  they  should  be  framed  by  a  law. 
Those  that  bear  on  this  question  of  popular  amusements  arc 
three : 

I.  The  first  general  principle  has  respect  to  the  relation  which 
Christians  sustain  to  each  other.  It  is  discussed  in  Kom.  xiv., 
and  in  1  Cor.  viii.  Christian  liberty  in  things  indifferent  is  there 
distinctly  recognized.  But  it  is  bounded  and  limited  by  a  higher 
law.     We   must   not   abuse    our   libertv  to   the   offence  of  our 


488  MINUTES    OF    THE  [Nov.   lOlll, 

bretliren.  We  mnst  bridle  our  knowledge  with  chavity.  We 
are  bidden  to  beware  how  we  tamper  with  the  sanctities  of  a 
brother's  conscience,  and  to  beware  how  we  trifle  with  the  neces- 
sities of  a  brother's  Aveakness.  The  law  of  conscience  and  the 
law  of  love  are  far  more  sacred,  and  more  precious,  and  more  to 
be  regarded,  than  the  law  of  liberty.  To  the  child  of  God  they 
ouglit  to  be  always  paramount.  To  assert  independence  at  the 
expense  of  wounding  a  brother's  conscience,  is  "  to  sin  against 
Christ."  "  It  is  good  neither  to  eat  flesh,  nor  to  drink  wine,  nor 
any  thing  Avhereby  thy  brother  stumbleth."  Of  course,  a  merely 
personal,  puerile,  wretched  scrupulosity  is  not  to  be  foisted  upon 
tlie  Church,  for  its  government.  But  amusements,  whose  tenden- 
cies are  inherently  and  almost  inevitably  to  excess,  lohere  the  vicalc 
and  the  unstable  may  stumble  and  perish,  and  against  whiofi  there 
■is  a  general  Christian  conscience,  are  decisively  condemned  by  this 
plain  loord  of  God. 

IL  The  second  general  principle  has  respect  to  the  relation 
which  Christians  sustain  to  the  loorld.  It  is  negative,  and  summed 
up  in  this,  "  Be  not  conformed  to  this  world."  It  is  a  relation 
of  nonconformity.  Christians  are  to  be  unlike  the  world,  and 
distinguishable  from  it.  Tliis  idea  of  separateness  runs  througli 
all  the  warp  and  woof  of  Scripture.  And  it  clearly  does  not  im- 
ply a  separation  from  the  grossly  evil  of  the  world.  This  is 
specifically  and  positively  commanded.  Christians  are  pledged 
and  sworn  to  obedience  by  tlieir  very  profession.  The  separation 
involved  in  nonconformity  is  from  worldliness — from  the  worldly 
spirit.  It  is  a  demand  that  the  whole  tone  and  bent  and  current 
and  spirit  of  the  Christian  life  shall  be  different  from  that  of  the 
worldly  life  ;  so  different,  that  it  shall  be  manifest  to  the  toorld 
that  the  people  of  God  are  pilgrims  and  strangers  on  the  earth  ; 
that  they  are  walking  with  God  ;  that  they  are  a  peculiar  people, 
called  out  of  the  world  while  still  remaining  in  it;  God's  witnes- 
ses; living  epistles;  the  salt  of  the  earth;  distinctive,  chosen,  set 
apart,  recognizable  everywhere  as  having  been  with  Jesus,  and  as 
holy  in  all  manner  of  conversation.  Let  Christians  apply  to 
their  lives  this  one  central,  prominent,  gospel  idea  of  nonconfor- 
mity ;  let  them  press  it  on  all  their  conduct,  until  they  give  un- 
mistakable exhibition  of  the  spirit  of  these  unmistakable  words  of 
Christ  and  the  apostles,  and  it  will  go  very  far  to  settle  this  Avhole 
question  of  rational  or  irrational  amusements. 

III.  The  third  general  principle  has  respect  to  the  relation 
lohich.  Christians  sustain  to  Christ.  It  is  positive,  and  summed 
up  in  this,  "Whatsoever  ye  do,  in  word  or  deed,  do  all  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord  Jesus."  Broad,  comprehensive,  universal  in 
its  applicability,  yet  most  specific,  after  all,  in  its  fundamental 
condition,  "  Whatsoever  ye  do."  In  another  place,  ai)plied  to 
the  every-day  necessity  and  act  of  our  life — eating  and  drinking. 
Applicable,  therefore,  to  our  recreations.  It  is  scriptural  condem- 
nation of  every  form  of  social  diversion  in  which  a  Christian 
cannot  indulsre  "in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus."     It  is  divine 


A.D.   1869.]  GENERAL    ASSEMBLY.  489 

indorsement  of  wliatever  is  done  by  a  child  of  God;  into  which 
he  may  go,  and  out  of  wliich  he  may  come,  and  through  the  pro- 
gress of  which  he  may  continue,  without  there  being  one  moment, 
when  it  Avould  be  in  any  way  inconsistent  for  him  to  ask  liis 
Lord's  approval  of  him  there,  and  of  wliat  lie  is  doing,  and  witness- 
ing, and  countenancing,  and  supporting. 

Let  this  principle  be  honestly  and  conscientiously  applied.  It 
•will  settle  many  a  doubt.  It  will  condemn  many  a  ])0]>ular  amuse- 
ment. It  bars  out  every  indulgence  that  cannot  be  had  in  con- 
sistent and  loving  remembrance  of  our  Lord,  Amusements  that 
undermine  the  health,  and  Avaste  vitality  ;  amusements  by  which 
the  weak  and  the  lame  are  so  often  turned  out  of  the  way,  only 
to  stumble  and  perish  ;  amusements  that  make  it  appear  as  if 
God's  children  were  as  eager  after,  and  as  intent  upon  the  gayeties 
and  festivities  of  the  world  as  the  children  of  the  world  them, 
selves;  amusements  making  it  essential  for  Christians  to  take 
positions  tiiat  ought  to  bring,  if  they  do  not  bring,  the  blood  to 
their  faces  ;  amusements  that  compel  Christians  to  witness  scenes, 
and  hear  quips  and  jests,  soiling  their  spirits  Avith  suggested  un- 
cleanness  ;  these  all,  and  all  like  these,  are  branded  with  condem- 
nation by  this  divine  precept.  No  true  disciple  of  Christ  can  give 
himself  to  such  amusements  "  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.'' 

We  close  as  we  began.  This  whole  question  must  be  taken  out 
of  the  domain  of  abstract  casuistry.  It  is  not  so  much  a  question 
of  absolute  right  and  Avrong  as  of  conscience  and  charity.  The 
spirit  of  our  life  is  far  more  important  than  the  letter  of  our  law. 
The  rule  of  love  is  higher  than  the  law  of  liberty.  Christianity 
antagonizes  worldliness  ;  it  does  not  conform  to  it.  The  Church 
should  deal  with  it,  not  so  much  by  the  axe  of  discipline  as  by 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit.  Yet,  without  a  doubt,  the  very  law  of 
love  may  sometimes  require  a  kind,  considerate,  thoughtful  exer- 
cise of  the  disciplinary  power  of  the  Church.  But  our  chief  ap- 
peal must  be  to  the  consc'ience.  Our  main  reliance  must  be  on 
the  spirit  and  the  life  demanded  by  a  whole-hearted  surrender  and 
commitment  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  Those  who  are  constrained  by 
the  love  of  Christ  can  scarcely  allow  themselves  indulgence  in 
any  business  or  recreation,  any  Avork  or  play,  into  Avhich,  and 
through  which,  and  out  of  Avhich,  they  cannot  consistently  go, 
Avith  ever  j^resent  and  affectionate  remembrance  of  Him  "  Avho' 
gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniquity, 
and  purify  us  unto  himself,  a  peculiar  peoi^le  zealous  of  good 
works." 

The  report  was  also  recommended  to  the  Presbyterian  Publi- 
cation Committee  for  publication. 

Messrs,  Guernsey  Y,  Roots  and  Nathan  Lane  Avere  appointed  to 
fill  vacancies  in  the  Standing  Committee  on  Mileage, 

Jlev.  Samuel  H.  Gridley,  D.D.,  and  Mr.  Henrv  M.  Knox,  Avere 
appointed  to  fill  vacancies  in  the  Committee  on  Bills  and  Over- 
tures. 


490  MIXUTKS    OF   THE  [NoV.  11th, 

A  communication  from  tlie  Executive  Committee  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Historical  Society  was  read,  and  referred  to  the  Com- 
mittee on  Bills  and  Overtures. 

The  Rev.  John  Waugh,  Rev.  Levi  Parsons,  and  Mr.  Albert  A. 
Luce  were  appointed  to  prepare  a  minute  on  the  members  Avho 
have  deceased  since  the  adjournment  of  the  Assembly,  in  May 
last. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow,  at  0  o'clock  A.M. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 


THURSDAY,  November  11th,  9  o'clock  A.M. 

The  Assembly  met,  and  occupied  the  opening  hour  Avith  devo- 
tional exercises. 

The  minutes  of  the  last  session  were  read  and  aj^proved. 

A  paper  on  State  appropriations  to  Roman  Catholic  Schools 
was  referred  to  the  Rev.  Henry  Darling,  D.D.,  Rev.  Byron  Sun- 
derland, D.D.,  Rev.  Herrick  Johnson,  D.D.,  William  P.  Massey, 
M.D.,  and  Mr.  Frederick  G.  Burnham. 

A  communication  from  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Foreign 
Missions  was  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  on  that 
subject. 

The  Rev.  Robert  R.  Booth,  D.D.,  was  appointed  Chairman  of 
the  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions,  to  fill  a  vacancy. 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  presented  the  following 
report  on  an  Overture  respecting  the  creation  of  a  Sustentation 
Fund  : 

To  the  Overture  from  the  Presbytery  of  Kansas,  commended 
by  the  Synod  of  Kansas,  asking  that  measures  be  taken  by  this 
General  Assembly  to  provide  a  Sustentation  Fund,  by  which  the 
salaries  of  our  Ministers  may  be  secured  and  equalized, 

The  Assembly  would  reply  by  referring  to  its  answer  given  to 
similar  Overtures  at  its  sessions  last  May,  and  recorded  on  page 
262  of  the  Minutes. 

This  answer  is  given  not  at  all  to  express  opposition  to  this 
Overture,  which  treats  of  a  subject  of  vital  importance  to  our 
whole  Church,  but  in  view  of  the  propriety  of  originating  specific 
action,  upon  such  a  momentous  matter,  in  the  united  Church. 

The  report  was  adopted. 

The  same  Committee  reported  on  the  communication  from  the 
Presbyterian  Historical  Society  as  follows  : 


A.D.  1869.]  GENERAL   ASSEMBLY.  491 

In  reply  to  a  communication  from  the  Presbyterian  Historical 
Society,  -iskiiig  for  an  appropriation  of  funds  for  the  erection 
of  a  bui'kliiii;  Miitcd  to  its  uses,  and  also  for  an  endowment  the 
income  of  which  will  enable  the  Society  to  prosecute  its  work 
successfully,  the  Assembly  refers  to  its  former  commendations  of 
its  objects  and  results,  but  cannot  feel  at  liberty,  in  the  present 
circumstances  of  the  Church,  to  make  any  specific  recommenda- 
tion for  action  on  the  subject  above  named. 

The  report  was  adopted. 

The  same  Committee  presented  a  report,  which  was  adopted, 
and  is  as  follows  : 

A  member  of  the  Dakota  Tresbytery  requests  that,  in  view  of 
the  peculiar  constitution  of  that  body,  as  the  elders  speak  only 
their  native  tongue,  and  cannot  attend  the  meetings  of  the  As- 
sembly as  acting  members,  one  half  the  assessment  made  upon 
that  Presbytery Ifor  the  Commissioners'  Fund  be  remitted. 

The  Committee  on  Bills  and  Overtures  recommend  to  the  As- 
sembly for  adoption  the  following  resolution  : 

Besolved,  That  the  :Mileage  Committee  be  instructed  to  remit, 
in  behalf  of  the  Dakota  Presbytery,  the  amount  of  their  assessment 
for  the  Commissioners'  Fund,  and  to  appropriate  to  the  members 
of  that  Presbytery,  in  attendance  at  the  present  sessions  of  the 
Assembly,  their  full  share  of  the  above-named  fund. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  report  of  the  Assembly's  Dele- 
gate to  the  Assemblies  of  Scotland  and  Ireland  presented  their 
report,  which  w^as  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of  the  General 
Assembly's  Delegate  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church 
of  Scotland,  and  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Irish  Presby- 
terian Church,  would  respectfully  report : 

That  they  find  in  this  paper  several  suggestions  which  they 
deem  eminently  worthy  of  the  consideration  of  the  General  As- 
sembly, and  which,  in  their  opinion,  are  calculated,  if  carried  into 
eifect,  to  enlarge  the  influence  and  promote  the  prosperity  of  our 
Branch  of  the  Church. 

The  suggestions  referred  to  relate  to  the  propriety  of  opening 
a  correspondence  with  those  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian  family 
in  Great  Britain  with  which  we  have,  up  to  this  time,  had  no 
formal  or  official  communications.  And  they  further  propose  an 
inquiry  as  to  the  wisdom  of  attempting  to  embody,  in  our  prac- 
tical polity,  such  institutions  and  customs  as  have  been  found 
useful  and  salutary  among  these  sister  Churches  of  the  Presby- 
terian order. 

I.  In  reference  to  the  proposition  for  an  enlarged  correspon- 
dence witii  the  Presbyterian  Assemblies  of  Great  Britain,  the 
Committee  would  recommend,  that  it  be   referred   to  the  next 


492  MINUTES    OF   THE  ,         [NOY.  11th, 

General  Assembly,  with  the  request  that  such  action  be  then 
taken,  as  will  bring  all  these  different  branches  of  the  Presby- 
terian family  abroad  into  more  intimate  and  regular  intercourse 
with  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  Slates,  to  the  end 
that  mutual  sympathy  may  be  promoted,  and  that  each  may,  if 
possible,  obtain  increase  of  practical  power  and  efficiency  from 
the  wisdom  and  experience  of  the  other. 

II.  In  reference  to  the  suggestions,  contained  in  the  report, 
Avhich  relate  to  the  propriety  of  an  attempt  to  embody,  in  our 
practical  polity,  such  institutions  and  customs  as  have  been  found 
useful  and  salutary  among  these  sister  Churches  of  the  Presby- 
terian family,  the  Committee  would  recommend,  that  they  be  re- 
ferred to  the  Committee  to  be  appointed  to  promote  the  greater 
efficiency  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  that  the  atten- 
tion of  that  Committee  be  especially  directed  to  the  following 
points : 

1.  Is  it  practicable,  and  would  it  be  advantageous,  to  introduce 
some  method  which  shall  engage  the  whole  Church  in  the  effort 
to  regulate  the  support  of  its  ministers,  and  to  provide,  from  a 
general  fund,  a  sum  which  should  be  paid  to  each  pastor,  as  a 
minimum  of  compensation  for  pastoral  service  ? 

2.  Would  it  be  advantageous  to  originate  some  provision,  by 
means  of  which  the  Church  properties  should  be  controlled  by 
the  Church  itself,  rather  than  by  Boards  of  Trustees  appointed 
from  the  congregation  ? 

3.  Would  it  be  desirable  that  measures  be  taken  to  secure  uni- 
formity among  all  our  churches  in  the  mode  of  admission  to  the 
fellowship  of  the  Church,  and  in  the  administration  of  the  ordi- 
nances— Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  ? 

4.  Would  it  be  desirable  to  have  prepared  special  Forms  for 
use  in  the  Marriage  and  Burial  Services,  which  might  be  adopted 
by  the  ministry,  at  their  option,  as  occasion  may  require  ? 

5.  Can  any  plans  be  suggested  for  increasing  the  effective  par- 
ticipation of  the  membership  of  our  churches  in  the  different 
methods  of  Christian  work  which  we  have  undertaken,  and  more 
especially  of  increasing  system  and  thoroughness  in  benevolent 
contributions  to  the  objects  recommended  by  the  General  As- 
sembly ? 

6.  Is  it  not  desirable  to  adopt  the  rule  of  the  Scotch  Churches, 
allowing  only  pastors  and  those  engaged  in  the  direct  and  imme- 
diate work  of  the  Church  votes  in  Presbyteries,  and  representa- 
tion in  the  General  Assembly  ? 

The  Special  Committee  on  Manses  presented  the  following  re- 
port, which  Avas  adopted : 

Whe7'eas,  The  importance  of  making  a  decided  effort  to  secure 
for  every  Presbyterian  Minister  a  Manse  cannot  be  over-estimat- 
ed, therefore, 

Hesolved^  That  the  Moderators  of  the  Presbyteries  be  instructed 


A.D.   1869.]  GEXERAL    ASSEMBLY.  493 

to  inquire  of  the  clmvches  under  their  care  what  has  hccn  done,  or 
what  is  proposed  to  be  done,  to  secure  jNIanses  for  I'astors ;  and 
that  the  results  of  said  inquiries  be  appended  to  tlie  report  on  the 
Narrative  of  tlie  State  of  Religion  sent  up  by  the  Presbyteries  to 
the  next  General  Assembly. 

Adjourned  until  2.^  o'clock  P.M. 
Concluded  with  prayer. 


THURSDAY,  November  lltli,  21  o'clock  P.M. 
The  Assembly  met,  and  was  opened  with  prayer. 
The  minutes  of  the  last  session  were  read  and  approved. 

The  Committee  to  Avhom  was  referred  the  paper  on  State  ap- 
propriations to  Roman  Catholic  Schools  presented  a  report,  which 
was  adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

The  General  Assembly,  observing  with  the  profoundest  con- 
cern the  attempts  that  are  now  being  made  in  various  portions  of 
our  country,  not  only  to  remove  the  Bible  from  the  place  that  it 
heretofore,  generally,  has  had  in  our  common  schools,  but  also  to 
secure  fronr^he  State  the  pecuniary  support  of  sectarian  schools- 
schools  under  the  exclusive  control  of  the  Church,  and  designed 
to  teach  the  peculiar  tenets  of  its  theology  and  ecclesiasticism— 
desire  to  draw  to  these  facts  the  special  attention  of  their  consti- 
tuency. ,    .       1       1.-      4- 

Should  this  movement  be  successful,  it  must  obviously  ultimate 
in  the  complete  disintegration  and  final  destruction  of  our  present 
admirable  system  of  Common  School  instruction,  a  system  that 
is  the  fjlory'of  our  land,  and  that  has  already  brought  to  it  inesti- 
mable blessings.  Moreover,  as  this  movement  for  sectarian  legis- 
lation is  entirely  in  the  interest  of  Romanism,  it  will,  if  success- 
ful, be  so  far  a  virtual  establisliment  of  that  religion  as  the 
state  religion  of  our  land,  securing  from  the  public  treasury,  to 
which  all'onr  citizens  contribute,  the  religious  as  well  as  the  secu- 
lar education  of  all  its  vouth. 

The  Assembly  would',  therefore,  earnestly  request  of  their  con- 
stituency to  employ  all  the  instrumentalities  properly  within  then- 
reach  to  avert  froni  our  country  so  fearful  a  calamity.  Through 
the  pulpit  and  the  press,  and  by  the  presentation  to  our  State  legis- 
latures of  petitions  and  remonstrances,  let  the  voice  of  our  peo- 
ple be  heard  on  this  great  subject,  so  vital  to  the  highest  interests 
of  Christianity  and  liberty. 

The  Special  Committee  on  Unemployed  Ministers  and  Yacant 
Churches  reported,  recommending  that  the  subject  be  referred  to 
the  next  Assembly.     The  report  was  adopted. 


494  MINUTES    OF    THE  [NoV.   11  til, 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions  reported  on  tlie 
communication  from  the  Permanent  Committee.  The  report  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Standing  Committee  on  Foreign  Missions  would  respect- 
fully report  on  the  paper  emanating  from  the  Permanent  Com- 
mittee of  the  Assembly,  which  was  referred  to  them, 

That,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the  appropriations  of  the  American 
Board  to  the  support  of  its  missions  have  been  made  in  advance 
for  the  year  ending  September,  18V0,  and  that  not  only  great  em- 
barrassment to  the  Prudential  Committee,  but  also  great  injury  to 
the  cause  of  Missions  would  result  from  a  sudden  contraction  in  the 
receipts  of  the  Board,  the  passage  of  the  following  resolutions 
is  recommended  : 

1.  Besoloed,  That  the  Permanent  Committee  on  Foreign  Mis- 
sions be  requested  to  urge  upon  the  churches  hitherto  contribut- 
ing to  the  American  Board,  that  they  do  not  withhold  their  con- 
tributions from  it  during  the  present  fiscal  year. 

2.  liesolved,  Further,  that  the  Permanent  Committee  be  also 
directed  to  call  the  attention  of  our  churches  to  the  sixth  article 
of  the  concurrent  resolutions  passed  by  the  two  Assemblies  at  the 
May  meeting  in  New^-York,  Avhich  reads  as  follows :  "  There 
should  be  one  set  of  Committees  or  Boards  for  Home  and  Foreign 
Missions  and  the  other  religious  enterprises  of  the  Cliurch,  which 
the  churches  should  be  encouraged  to  sustain,  though  fi'ce  to  cast 
their  contributions  into  other  channels  if  they  desire  to  do  so." 

Since  in  this  resolution  tlie  Assembly  has  presented  its  matured 
and  well-balanced  judgment  in  regard  to  the  future  relations  of 
our  churches  to  the  method  in  which  the  work  of  Foreign  Mis- 
sions should  be  carried  on, 

Hesolved,  Tliat  a  Committee  of  five  be  appointed  to  take  into 
consideration  our  relations  to  the  American  Board  of  Commission- 
ers for  Foreign  Missions,  to  report  to  the  next  General  Assembly 
such  measures  as  to  them  may  seem  proper  and  expedient  i'or  the 
adjustment  of  those  relations  to  the  new  posture  of  our  aflairs. 

As  such  committee,  the  Assembly  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Jonathan  ¥.  Stearns,  D.D.,  Rev.  Robert  W.  Patterson,  D.D.,  Rev. 
Robert  R.  liootb,  D.D.,  and  Messrs.  Robert  S.  Williams  and 
William  E.  London. 

The  Special  Committee  on  the  Union  of  the  several  Presbyterian 
Bodies  in  this  country  presented  a  report,  which  was  amended, 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

Resolved,  That,  rejoicing  in  the  immediate  Re-union  of  the  two 
Presbyterian  Bodies  so  long  separated,  we  would  gladly  hail  a 
Pam-Presbyterian  Union,  embracing  all  branches  of  the  Presby- 
terian family  lioldingto  tlie  same  Confession  of  Faith  and  Form  of 
Government. 


A.D.   ISGO.]  fJENEKAT.    ASSKM15I.Y.  49") 

Resolved,  That  all  uiHtiiiG;  \\\i\\  us  may  freely  enjoy  tlic  ju-ivi- 
lege  of  using  such  songs  of  praise  to  Almiglity  God  as  tlieir  con- 
sciences may  dictate,  as  indeed  is  already  allowed  to  and  various- 
ly enjoyed  in  and  by  the  several  congregations  now  in  our  com- 
munion. 

The  Committee  on  Deceased  Members  reported  a  minute, 
which  -was  adopted  and  is  as  follows : 

The  Committee  appointed  on  Deceased  Members  of  Assem- 
bly Avould  respectfully  report : 

Since  the  meeting  of  this  General  Assembly  at  New-York  in 
May  last,  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church,  Avho  says,  "  Behold  I 
come  quicldy,  and.  my  revxtrd  is  vith  mc  to  give  unto  every  man 
as  his  work  shall  be,'"  has  taken  from  us  three  of  those  who  par- 
ticipated with  us  in  that  memorable  gathering,  namely,  liev.  F.  1{. 
Gallaher,  D.D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Coldwat^er ;  Ekler  H.  G.  Tor- 
bert,  M.D.,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Utica,  and  Elder  Loring  Dan- 
forth,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Buffiilo. 

"While  Ave  remember  that  we  are  commanded  not  to  sorrow  for 
those  who  have  fallen  asleep  in  Jesus,  we  cannot  but  regret  the 
Avithdrawal  of  such  needful  laborers  from  the  Master's  earthly 
work,  never  more  inviting  or  needful  than  now;  regret  because 
they  have  not  been  permitted  to  witness  that  consummation  of 
Re-union  for  which  they  prayed  and  voted.  Nevertheless,  as  we 
I'egard  them  as  gathered  to  thePe-union  of  all  the  saints  in  glory, 
Ave  Avould  repress  our  tears,  and  express  onr  sympathy  for  "the 
dear  relatives  Avhom  they  have  left  beloA\^,  deprived  of  their  felloAv- 
ship  and  support ;  praying  God  to  sustain  them  in  this  loss  by 
his  Avatching  providence  and  paternal  love,  and  to  enable  all  of 
us  to  be  more  diligent  in  the  Avork  to  Avhich  he  has  appointed  us. 

The  Joint  Committee  on  the  Rc-xuiion  of  the  two  Branches  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  presented  their  report,  which  Avas 
adopted,  and  is  as  folloAvs  : 

The  Joint  Committee  of  Conference  on  Re-union  met  on  the 
10th  of  November,  1869,  at  the  lecture-room  of  the  First  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

The  folloAving  resolutions  and  plans  of  procedure  for  the  con- 
summation of  the  Re-imion  of  the  Churches  Avere  adopted  and  re- 
commended as  proper  to  be  passed  by  the  respective  Assem- 
blies. 

1.  That  each  Assembly  should  declare  the  vote  of  the  Presby- 
teries in  the  folloAving  language  : 

"  This  Assembly  having  received  and  examined  the  statements 
of  the  several  Presbyteries  on  the  Basis  of  Re-union  of  the  tAvo 
bodies  noAV  claiming  the  name  and  rights  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  Avhich  basis  is  in  the 
Avords  folloAvincf: 


496  MINUTES    OF    THE  [NoV.   11  til, 

'  The  Re-uuion  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal  and  ecclesias- 
tical basis  of  our  common  standards.  The  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  shall  be  acknowledged  to  be  the  inspired 
Avord  of  God,  and  the  only  infallible  rule  of  fiith  and  practice. 
The  Confession  of  Faith  shall  continue  to  be  sincerely  received 
and  adopted  as  containing  the  system  of  doctrine  taught  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures,  and  the  Government  and  Discipline  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  in  the  United  States  shall  be  appi'oved  as  con- 
taining the  principles  and  rules  of  our  polity  :' — 

"  Do  hereby  find  and  declare,  that  the  said  Basis  of  Re-union 
has  been  approved  by  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries 
connected  with  this  Branch  of  the  Church, 

"  And,  whereas,  the  other  Branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States,  now  sitting  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church, 
Pittsburgh,  has  reported  to  this  Assembly  that  said  basis  has  been 
approved  by  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  Presbyteries  connected 
with  that  Branch  of  the  Church. 

"  Now,  therefore,  we  do  solemnly  declare  that  said  Basis  of  He- 
union  is  of  hinding  force.'''' 

2.  That  this  Committee  do  recommend  that  a  Special  Commit- 
tee of  five  from  each  branch  of  the  Church  shall  be  appointed  to 
take  into  consideration  the  aftairs  of  each  of  the  Boards  and  Com- 
mittees of  both  Branches  of  the  Church,  to  recommend  to  the  As- 
sembly of  the  United  Church,  next  to  be  held,  what  changes  are 
required  in  said  Boards  and  Committees. 

3.  That  each  Assembly  also  pass  the  following  : 

Whereas,  It  is  apparent,  from  the  size  of  the  two  Assemblies, 
that  some  changes  must  be  made  in  the  method  of  representation  ; 
therefore, 

Hesolved,  That  each  of  the  Assemblies  of  1869  do  appoint  a 
committee  of  five,  to  constitute  a  Joint  Committee  of  ten,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  prepare  and  propose  to  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  United  Church  a  proper  adjustment  of  the  boundaries  of 
the  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  and  the  ratio  of  representation,  and 
any  amendments  of  the  Constitution,  which  they  may  think  ne- 
cessary to  secure  efticiency  and  harmonj'^  in  the  administration  of 
the  Church,  so  greatly  enlarged  and  so  rapidly  extending, 

4.  That  the  Assemblies  do  meet  at  9  o'clock  on  Friday  morn- 
ing next,  and  that  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  be  declared  in  each 
Assembly  at  10  o'clock,  and  that  each  Assembly  be  then  dissolved 
in  the  usual  manner  prescribed  by  the  Form  of  Government.  That 

each  Assembly  do  immediately  repair  to  ,  there  to  hold  a 

joint  meeting  for  prayer  and  praise,  and  that  a  joint  communion 
service  be  heUl  on  the  same  day,  at  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  That 
all  business  before  each  Assembly  shall  be  concluded  on  this  (Thurs- 
day) evening,  and  no  new  business  be  taken  up.  That  a  Committee 
of  Arrangements,  of  two  from  each  Church,  be  appointed  to  decide 
upon  the  form,  manner,  and  place  of  our  public  meeting,  and  that 
a  statement  on  the  subject  of  raising  funds  for  the  use  of  the 
Church  be  also  prepared  for  said  meeting  by  said  Committee  of 


A.D.   1869.]  GENEKAL    ASSEMIJLY.  497 

Arrangements ;  and  that  the  Kev.  Samuel  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  Rev. 
A.  G.  Hall,  D.I).,  Mr.  Robert  Carter,  and  tlie  Hon.  William  E. 
Dodge  be  said  Committee.  That  tlu-  first  meeting  of  the  As- 
sembly of  the  United  Church  be  held  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  city  of  I'hihidelphia,  on  the  third  Thursday  of  May, 
18V0. 

That  a  Committee  of  live  be  api)ointed  from  each  ]^ranch  of  the 
Church,  to  take  into  consideration  the  subject  of  raising  funds  lor 
the  use  of  the  United  Church,  and  the  best  methods  of  doing  the 
same,  and  tlie  objects  to  which  the  same  should  be  directed  ;  and 
to  report  at  the  next  General  Assembly. 

That  a  joint  meeting  on  the  subject  of  Home  JNIissions  be  held 
this  evening  in  the  First  Churcli,  and  to-morrow  evening  in  the 
Third  Church,  on  Foreign  Missions,  at  V^  o'clock. 

The  Reports  of  the  Delegates  to  the  Synod  of  the  Canada  Pres- 
byterian Church,  to  the  General  Conference  of  Maine,  to  the  Gen- 
eral Association  of  New-IIampshire,  to  the  General  Convention  of 
Vermont,  to  the  General  Association  of  Massachusetts,  to  the 
General  Association  of  Connecticut,  and  to  the  General  Synod  of 
the  Reformed  Church,  were  presented,  accepted,  and  ordered  to 
be  printed  in  the  Appendix  to  the  Minutes. 

The  Committee  on  the  Polity  of  the  Church  reported  on  an 
Overture  with  reference  to  the  mode  of  uniting  churches  of  the 
two  Branches,  as  follows : 

That  no  recommendation  be  made  at  this  time  by  this  Assem- 
bly on  the  subject  presented,  but  that  it  be  left  for  the  considera- 
tion of  the  Assembly  of  the  United  Church  in  1870,  and  that  in- 
the  mean  time  no  action  aiFecting  the  title  to  any  of  the  property 
of  the  churches  be  taken,  except  under  the  advice  and  with  the 
consent  of  the  Presbytery  with  whicli  churches  taking  such  ac- 
tion are  now  connected. 

The  Rev.  Herrick  Johnson,  D.D.,  Rev.  Zei^haniah  M.  Hum- 
phrey, D.D.,  and  Mr.  William  G.  Crowell  were  appointed  to  act 
in  conjunction  with  a  like  number  of  the  other  Assembly,  as  a 
Committee  of  Arrangements  for  the  next  Assembly,  with  power 
to  add  to  their  number. 

The  Mileage  Committee  presented  their  report,  which  was 
adopted,  and  is  as  follows  : 

They  have  received  for  Commissioners'  Fund,  includ- 
ing balance  from  May,  1869 $7473  21 

They  have  paid  bills  for  the  necessary  tra- 
veling expenses  of  Commissioners $5947  16 

Incidental  expenses  of  Committee 7  80 

i|;5954   96 

Balance  on  ])and $1518  25 


498  MINUTES    OF   THE  [NoV.   1  Itll, 

Eighty-six  Presbyteries  have  paid  tlieir  assessment  in  fall. 

Ten  Presbyteries  have  paid  but  a  part  of  their  assessment, 
namely :  Champlain,  St.  Lawrence,  Onondaga,  Tioga,  Lyons, 
Chenango,  Rochester,  Trumbull,  Logansport,  and  Chicago. 

Seventeen  have  paid  nothing,  namely :  Troy,  Watertown, 
Oswego,  District  of  Columbia,  Meadville,  Coldwater,  Franklin, 
Hamilton,  Ottawa,  St.  Joseph,  Fox  Kiver,  Lake  Superior,  Des 
Moines,  Keokuk,  Dubuque,  San  Francisco,  and  Nevada. 

Having  receiA'ed  a  sufficient  amount  from  the  Presbyteries,  and 
having  the  requisite  authority  from  the  Assembly,  your  Com- 
mittee have  paid  the  necessary  traveling  expenses  of  the  Commis- 
sioners entitled  thereto  in  full. 

The  Committee  recommend  that  our  churches  be  assessed  seven 
cents  per  member  to  defray  the  necessary  traveling  expenses  of 
the  Commissioners  of  the  General  Assembly  to  meet  in  Philadel- 
phia in  May,  1870. 

Resolved^  That  the  minutes  of  these  sessions  of  the  Assembly, 
with  the  Appendix,  be  printed  under  the  direction  of  the  Stated 
Clerk,  and  that  copies  be  sent  as  usual  to  those  Presbyteries  Avho 
have  paid  their  full  assessment  to  the  Commissioners'  Fund. 

The  bills  for  stationery  and  printing,  for  the  services  of  the 
Janitor,  and  for  the  traveling  expenses  of  the  Stated  and  Perma- 
nent Clerks,  were  ordered  to  be  paid. 

Resolved^  That  the  hearty  thanks  of  this  General  Assembly  be 
hereby  tendered  to  the  citizens  of  Pittsburgh,  for  the  generous 
liospitality  with  which  they  have  welcomed  us  to  their  liomes,  for 
the  sympathy  with  which  they  have  entered  into  our  labors,  and 
for  the  prayers  with  which  they  have  supplicated  the  Divine  bless- 
ing upon  us  and  our  sister  Assembly ;  to  the  Pastor  and  Trus- 
tees of  the  Thii-d  Presbyterian  Church  ;  to  the  Joint  Committee 
of  Arrangements  for  their  ample  provision  for  our  comfort ;  to  the 
conductors  of  the  daily  press,  and  to  the  many  railroad  compa- 
nies who  have  generously  remitted  so  much  of  the  expense  of 
travel. 

The  Standing  Committees  severally  reported  that  they  had  no 
other  business,  and  Avere  discharged. 

The  minutes  of  this  session  were  read  and  approved. 

Adjourned  until  to-morrow  at  9  o'clock  A.M. 

Concluded  with  prayer. 


A.D.  1869.]  GENERAL   ASSEMBLY.  499 

FRIDAY,  November  12th,  9  o'clock  P.M. 
Tlic  Assembly  inct,  aiul  was  opened  with  prayer. 

Tlie  Moderator  announced  the  following  as  the  several  Commit- 
tees referred  to  in  the  report  of  the  Joint  Committee  of  Confer- 
ence on  Re-union,  adopted  by  the  two  Assemblies  : 

1.  Ox  Uecoxstruction  : 

Rev.  Samuel  W.  Fisher,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Rev.  Robert  W.  Pat- 
terson, D.D.,  Rev.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  D.D.,  Rev.  CouAvay 
P.  Wing,  D.D.,  and  Rev.  Joseph  F.  Tuttle,  D.D. 

2.  Ox  Raisixg  Fuxds  : 

Hon.  William  E.  Dodge,  Hon.  William  Strong,  Rev.  Jona- 
than F.  Stearns,  D.D.,  Rev.  William  H.  Goodrich,  D.D., 
and  Rev.  Charles  Hawley,  D.D. 

;5.  Ox  Home  Missioxs  : 

Rev.  William  Adams,  D.D.,  Rev.  Homy  Kendall,  D.D.,  Rev. 
Arthur  Mitchell,  Hon.  Henry  AV.  Williams,  LL.D.,  and 
Hon.  Jacob  P"'arrand. 

4.  Ox  FoEEiGX'  Mlssioxs  : 

Rev.  Henry  A.  Nelson,  D.D.,  Rev.  Robert  R.  Booth,  D.D., 
Rev.  Franklin  A.  Xoblc,  Hon.  Joseph  Allison,  LL.D.,  and 
Mr.  Isaac  Scarritt. 

5.  Ox  Educatiox  : 

Rev.  Jnmes  P.  Wilson,  D.D.,  Rev.  John  G.  Atterburv,  D.D., 
Rev.  Edward  D.  ]\Iorris,  D.D.,  Mr.  Alexander  Whilldin, 
and  Mr.  Truman  P.  Handy. 

0.    Ox    PUBLICATIOX  : 

Rev.  Zcphaniah  M.  Humphrey,  D.D.,  Rev.  J.  Glcntwortli 
Butler,  D.D.,  Rev.  John  W.  Dulles,  Mr.  James  M.  Brawner, 
and  Hon.  John  S.  Knight. 

7.  Ox  CuuRcu  EuECTiox  : 

Mr.  George  W.  Lane,  Rev.  Frank  F.  EUinwood,  D.D.,  Jlev. 
Cornelius  H.  Taylor,  D.D.,  Mr.  Oliver  H.  Lee,  and  Mr. 
Samuel  T.  Bodine. 

f^.  Ox  MixisTEEiAL  Relief  : 

Rev.  Thomas  J.  Shepherd,  D.D.,  Rev.  Charles  Brown,  Rev. 
James  B.  Shaw,  D.D.,  Hon.  Charles  Noble,  and  Mr. 
Robert  W.  Steele. 


500  MINUTES    OF   THE  [NoV.   lltl), 

9.  On  Feeedmex  : 

Rev.  Samuel  M.  Hopkins,  D.D.,  Rev.  Edwin  F.  Hatfield,  D.D., 
Rev.  Herrick  Johnson,  D.D.,  Mr.  William  Thaw,  and  Mr. 
Josej)!!  W.  Edwards. 

The  calling  of  the  roll  at  the  close  of  this  session  was  dis- 
pensed with. 

The  Rev.  George  W.  Musgrave,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  and  Mr.  Henry 
Day  appeared  as  a  Deputation  from  the  other  Assembly,  and 
presented  the  following  communication  : 

"  PiTi-SBUEGii,  November  12th,  1869. 

"The  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  holding 
its  sessions  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  to  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  holding  its  sessions  in  the 
Third  Presbyterian  Church  : 

"  We  hereby  certify  that  the  vote  of  the  Presbyteries  connected 
with  this  Assembly  on  the  Overture  in  regard  to  Re-union  is  as 
follows  : 

"  In  tavor  of  the  Overture  for  Re-union  and  appi-oving  the  same, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  Presbyteries  ;  in  the  negative,  three 
Presbyteries ;  and  thirteen  Presbyteries  which  have  not  reported. 
And  we  further  certify,  that  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  Presby- 
teries in  connection  with  the  General  Assembly  have  approved  of 
the  Basis  of  Re-union  mentioned  in  said  Overture. 

"WILLIAM  E.   SCHENCK, 

'■''  Permanent  Clerk.'''' 


The  hour  often  having  arrived,  the  following  Declaration  was, 

BY  RISING  VOTE,  UNANIMOUSLY  ADOPTED  : 

This  Assembly,  having  received  and  examined  the  statement  of 
the  votes  of  the  several  Presbyteries  on  the  Basis  of  Re-union 
of  the  two  Bodies  now  claiming  the  name  and  the  riglits  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  in  the  words 
following,  namely,  "the  Re-union  shall  be  effected  on  the  doctrinal 
and  ecclesiastical  Basis  of  our  Common  Standards  ;  the  Scriptures 
of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  shall  be  acknowledged  to  be  the  in- 
spired word  of  God  and  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith  and  practice ; 
the  Confession  of  Faith  shall  continue  to  be  sincerely  received  and 
adopted  as  containing  the  system  and  doctrine  taught  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  and  the  Government  and  Discipline  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  United  States  shall  be  approved  as  containing  the 
principles  and  rules  of  our  polity,"  does  hereby  find  and  declare, 
that  said  Basis  of  Re-union  has  been  approved  by  more  than  two- 
thirds  of  the  Presbyteries  connected  with  this  Branch  of  the 
Church  ;  and,  whereas,  the  other  Branch  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  in  the  LTnited  States,  now  sitting  in  the  First  Presbyterian 


A.D.   1869.]  GENERAL    ASSEMBLY.  501 

Churcli,  in  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  lias  reported  to  this  Assembly 
that  said  Jiasis  has  boon  approved  by  more  than  two  thirds  of  the 
Presbyteries  connected  with  that  IJranch  of  the  Clmrch, — 

^^oic,  therefore^  we  do  solemnly  declare  that  said  Basls  of  Re- 
union IS  OF  BINDING  FORCE. 

After  the  offerinu;  of  solemn  praise  and  thanksgivincc,  the  busi- 
ness of  tlie  Assembly  havin<;  been  completed,  and  the  vote  taken 
for  the  dissolution  of  the  AssembI}'-,  the  Moderator,  with  prayer 
and  the  apostolic  benediction,  declared  the  Assembly  dissolved, 
and  required  another  Assemblj^  chosen  in  the  same  manner,  to 
meet  at  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  in  the  city  of  I'hiladelphia, 
Pa.,  on  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  A.D.  1870. 

J.  GLENTWORTH  BUTLER, 

Permanetxt  Cleric. 


APPENDIX 


I.   Clje  lU-uniDit  Contr^nfroH. 


PITTSBURGH,  PA.,  Friday,  NoTember  12th,  18a9. 

The  two  General  Assemblies  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  meeting  re- 
spectively in  the  First  and  Third  Churches  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  having  both 
been  in  due  form  dissolved  on  Friday,  November  12th,  18G9,  at  10  o'clock 
A.M.,  a  Joint  Convention,  in  accordance  with  previous  mutual  agree- 
ment, was  held  immediately  after  in  the  Third  Church. 

The  members  of  the  late  N.  S.  Assembly,  preceded  by  their  Moderator, 
Clerks,  and  Ee-union  Committee,  formed  in  order,  two  by  two,  and  pro- 
ceeded from  the  Third  Church  down  Sixth  Avenue  to  Wood  street,  and 
took  position  on  the  west  side  of  the  street,  opposite  the  First  Church. 
At  the  same  time,  the  members  of  the  late  0.  S.  Assembly,  preceded  in  like 
manner  by  their  Moderator,  Clerks,  and  Re-union  Committee,  came  forth 
from  the  First  Church  and  took  position  on  the  east  side  of  the  street, 
directly  opposite  the  other  column,  the  head  of  each  line  looking  south 
towards  Fifth  Avenue. 

The  following  gentlemen  had  been  appointed,  and  consented  to  serve  as 
Marshals  of  the  day :  Gen.  J.  K.  Moorhead  and  Messrs.  John  D.  McCord, 
William  Rea  and  George  H.  Stuart. 

The  signal  for  the  march  having  been  given,  the  two  Moderators  met  in 
the  middle  of  the  street,  shook  hands,  and  joined  arms ;  as  was  done  also 
by  the  Stated  Clerks,  the  Permanent  and  Temporary  Clerks,  the  two  Re- 
union Committees,  and  the  remainder  of  the  two  columns — the  joint  pro- 
cession meanwhile  marching  forward,  two  by  two.  Old  and  New  School 
interlocked  along  the  whole  line,  down  Wood  street  and  up  Fifth  Avenue, 
Smithfield  street  and  Sixth  Avenue,  (the  whole  distance  attended  by  a  re- 
joicing crowd  of  people,)  to  the  Third  Church. 

As  the  procession  entered  by  the  right  middle  aisle,  Wesley's  noble 
hymn, 

'■  Blow  ye  the  trumpet,  blow,"  etc. 

was  sung  by  the  choir  and  the  ladies  who  had  been  previously  admitted  to 
seats  assigned  them.  The  greater  part  of  the  procession  found  seats  on 
the  immense  platform  occupying  the  southern  end  of  the  great  Church,  the 
remainder  occupying  the  pews  in  front  of  the  platform  ;  after  which  the 
doors  were  opened,  and  the  house  was  immediately  thronged  to  its  utmost 
capacity. 

The  services  commenced  at  11  o'clock  A.M.,  and  were  continued  with 
unwearied  interest  for  more  than  three  hours.  Addresses  were  made  by 
the  Moderators  and  others,  both  ministers  and  elders,  previously  designated, 
intermingled  with  prayer  and  songs  of  devout  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

The  following  preamble  and  resolutions,  reported  in  behalf  of  the  Com- 


Xov.  A.D.  ]8(j9.]  appendix.  503 

luittce  of  Arrangements,  by   the  Rev.  S.  Win.  Fisher,    D.D.,  LL.D.,  were 
passed  unanimousl}' : 


I'KEAMIJl.K     AND     KKSOI.ITIONS     ADOPTED    IN,  JOINT    CONVENTION    BY    THE    MEM- 
BEKS    OP    THE    TWO     ASSE.MULIES — NOV.     12,    18G9. 

In  the  Providence  of  God,  the  two  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Cliurcli 
in  the  United  States  of  America,  after  a  separation  of  more  than  thirt}^ 
years,  are  again  united.  This  event,  in  its  magnitude,  is  unparalleled  in 
the  ecclesiastical  history  of  this  country  and  almost  of  the  world.  Tt 
evidences  to  all  men  the  presence  and  unifying  power  of  the  Divine  Spirit. 
A  fact  so  remarkable  and  significant  attracts  interest  and  creates  expecta- 
tion among  even  worldly  minds.  It  awaken.s  the  sympathies  and  the  hopes 
of  all  who  truly  love  Christ  among  other  denominations.  It  awakens 
hope,  since  it  illustrates  the  evident  purpose  of  God  to  bring  all  his  fol- 
lowers into  closer  union  in  spirit,  combine  them  in  action  for  tlie  overthrow 
of  error  and  the  diffusion  of  his  truth  ;  it  awakens  expectation,  since  they 
justly  anticipate,  on  our  part,  from  this  union  of  resources,  spirit,  and 
action,  a  far  more  vigorous  assault  upon  the  forces  of  darkness  and  more 
decided  efforts  to  spread  the  Gospel  among  all  classes  in  our  own  and  other 
lands. 

To  us,  as  a  Church,  it  is  an  era  in  our  history  most  memorable  and  hope- 
ful ;  memorable,  as  it  signalizes  the  triumph  of  faith  and  love  over  the  strifes 
and  jealousies  of  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  century;  hopeful,  since  it  is  not 
the  result  of  decadence  and  torpor,  but  of  progress  and  augmented  strength. 
It  buries  the  suspicions  and  the  rivalries  of  the  past,  with  the  sad  necessity 
of  magnifying  our  differences  in  order  to  justify  our  separation.  It  banishes 
the  spirit  of  division,  the  natural  foe  of  true  progress.  In  this  union  are 
seen  the  outflashing  of  a  divine  purpose  to  lead  us  on  to  greater  self-sacri- 
fice, and  a  more  entire  consecration  to  the  evangelization  of  the  world.  God 
has  elevated  us  to  this  commanding  position,  that  we  may  see  his  glory, 
and  in  the  strengthened  fiuth  it  inspires  devote  our  united  resources  more 
directly  and  eflicientl}'  to  the  salvation  of  men.  New  and  grander  respon- 
sibilities rest  upon  us.  Jesus  summons  us  to  a  holier  fliith  and  more  per- 
fect consecration.  He  summons  this  Church  to  answer  his  loving-kindness 
by  deeds  commensurate  with  our  renewed  resources.  The  times  are  au- 
spicious; everywhere  peace  reigns;  the  gates  are  open,  and  the  millions  of 
our  own  and  other  lands  wait  for  the  Gospel.  Our  position  is  commanding; 
our  resources  great ;  our  methods  of  action  well  settled,  simple,  and  efficient. 
The  Spirit  of  God  that  has  united  us  will  inspire,  direct,  and  bless  our  efforts. 
While  we  maintain  the  faith  which  Paul  so  fully  unfolded,  and  our  Church, 
in  the  centuries  past,  has,  through  manifold  persecution  and  martyrdom,  so 
gloriously  upheld,  we  are  summoned,  as  by  the  will  of  God,  to  arise  and 
build,  to  form  new,  broader,  and  bolder  plans  for  the  extension  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  to  enter  upon  and  execute  them  with  apostolic  enthusiasm. 

Let  us  then,  the  ministers,  elders,  and  members  of  this  Church  here,  as- 
sembled, as,  in  spirit,  standing  in  the  presence  of  and  representing  the  entire 
body  of  believers  in  our  connection,'  and  the  beloved  missionaries  in  foreign 
lands  who  now  await,' with  tender  and  prayerful  interest,  this  consununa- 
tion  of  our  union, — let  u.s,  in  humble  dependence  upon  our  dear  Redeemer, 
with  deep  humility  in  view  of  our  past  inefficiency  and  present  unworthi- 
ness,  and  as  an  expression  of  our  devout  gratitude  to  Him  who  has  brought 
this  once  dis-evered,  now  united  Church  up  to  this  Mount  of  TranKjigura- 
tion,  signalize  this  most  blessed  and  joyous  vnion  with  an  offering  in  some 
good  degree  commensurate  with  the  abundant  pecuniary  gifts  that  lie  has 
bestowed  on  us.     And,  to  this  end,  be  it 


504  APrEXDix.  [Nov.  A.D.  1869. 

liesolved,  That  it  is  incumbent  on  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United 
States  of  America,  one  in  organization,  one  in  faith,  and  one  in  effort,  to 
make  a  special  offering,  to  the  treasury  of  the  Lord,  of  FIVE  MILLIONS 
OF  DOLLARS :  and  we  pledge  ourselves,  first  of  all,  to  seek  in  our  daily 
petitions  the  blessing  of  God  to  make  this  resolution  effectual ;  and  second, 
that  we  will,  with  untiring  perseverance  and  personal  effort,  endeavor  to 
animate  the  whole  Church  with  the  purpose  to  secure  the  accomplishment 
of  this  great  work  before  the  third  Thursday  of  May,  1871. 

Resolved,  further,  That  the  Stated  Clerks  of  the  Assemblies  of  18G9  be 
requested  to  publish  this  paper,  with  the  names  of  the  Moderators,  Clerks, 
the  Joint  Committee  on  Re-union,  and  the  Commissioners  now  in  attend- 
ance, appended  thereto. 

At  -3]  o'clock  P.M.,  the  Convention  united  in  the  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper  at  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  which  also  was  thronged 
in  every  part.  


n.  Comsponbenrc. 


TOE    REPORTS    OF    DELEGATES. 

I.     To  THE  Synod  of  the  Canada  Presbyterian  Cuurcii. 

I  ATTENDED  the  meeting  of  the  Presbj'terian  Synod  of  Canada,  according 
to  appointment,  as  your  Delegate,  on  the  11th  June,  1809,  at  Hamilton, 
Ontario.  I  found  a  large  body  of  ministers  and  elders  in  attendance,  and 
was  much  interested  in  the  discussions  to  which  I  listened  during  the 
afternoon.  In  the  evening,  an  opportunity  was  very  politely  given  me, 
and  I  made  a  full  and  somewhat  lengthy  statement  of  the  plan  and  methods 
and  desirableness  of  the  proposed  Union  between  the  two  Branches  of  our 
Church,  as  my  own  heart  was  full  of  this  topic,  to  which  these  foreign 
Presbyterians  listened  with  profound  attention. 

The  Moderator,  Rev.  Dr.  Ormiston,  Mho  so  ably  represented  his  body  in 
both  of  our  Assemblies  last  spring,  replied  with  great  earnestness,  giving 
us  assurance  of  the  sympathy  of  our  brethren  in  Canada  in  every  good 
work,  and  especially  in  the  subject  of  union. 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted, 

^  A.  T.  CHESTER. 

Buffalo,  K  r.,  Octoler  20th,  1869. 


n.     To  THE  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  CiirRCii  in  America. 

By  appointment  of  the  General  Assembly,  convened  in  the  Church  of  the 
Covenant  in  New- York  City,  it  was  my  privilege  to  attend  the  sessions  of 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Reformed  (Dutch)  Church  held  in  this  city  in 
June  last. 

I  was  most  cordially  received  by  that  venerable  body,  and,  having  pre- 
sented to  them  the  salutations  of  the  General  Assembly,  received  in  return, 
through  their  President,  the  most  hearty  assurances  of  their  interest  in  our 
welfare.  Especially  did  they  express  an  earnest  wish  that  the  Union,  pro- 
posed between  us  and  the  brethren  of  the  other  Branch,  might  be  plea- 
santly and  harmoniously  consummated,  and  meet  with  the  divine  appro- 
bation. 

The  proceedings  of  this  Synod  were  characterized  by  dignity,  order, 
intelligence,  and  delightful  Christian  urbanity  ;  and  your  Delegate,  in  his 
personal  intercourse  with  brethren  with  whom  he  was  intimately  associated 
for  many  years,  experienced  a  joy  long  to  be  remembered. 

"With  Christian  cordialitj'  and  love, 

PETER  STRYKER. 

Philadelphia,  Fa.,  Kovember  Wth,  1869. 


506  APPENDIX.  [Nov. 


III.     To  THE    General   Convention  of  the    Congregational   Churches 
OF  Maine. 

Bv  appointment  of  this  Assenibl}^,  the  undersigned  attended  the  sessions 
of  the  General  Conference  of  the  Congregational  Churches  of  Maine,  held  at 
Bangor,  June  22d,  23d,  and  24th.  I  was  very  cordially  received.  In  the  ses- 
sions of  the  General  Conference  there  is  less  of  ecclesiastical  business,  and 
more  of  the  devotional  element,  than  with  us.  The  Anniversary  exercises 
of  the  State  Societies  of  Missions,  of  Ministerial  Relief,  and  of  Ministerial 
Education,  are  held  as  part  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Conference. 
The  varied  discussions  and  addresses  showed  clearly  that  the  Congrega- 
tional Churches  of  Maine  are  earnestly  laboring  to  build  up  the  kingdom 
of  Christ  in  that  State. 

The  address  of  your  Delegate,  in  which  he  spoke  of  what  had  been 
accomplished  by  this  Assembly,  during  the  past  j'ear,  for  Home  and  Foreign 
Missions,  Church  Erection,  Ministerial  Education,  and  Ministerial  Relief, 
and  of  the  influences  which  have  been  at  work  preparing  the  way  for  the 
Organic  Re-union  of  the  two  large  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
was  kindly  received.  The  Moderator  responded.  He  returned  the  cordial 
greetings  of  the  Congregational  Churches  of  Maine,  expressed  great  joy  at 
the  spirit  of  Union  which  is  pervading  the  two  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  also  expressed  the  hope  that  they  soon  would  become  orga- 
nically one.  Respectfully  submitted, 

CHARLES  S.  DUNNING. 

ffonesdale,  Pa.,  Oct.  25th,  18C9. 


IV.  -  To  the  General  Convention  of  Vermont. 


By  virtue  of  an  appointment  of  the  General  Assembly  of  May,  1869,  I 
attended  the  sessions  of  the  General  Convention  of  Vermont,  held  at 
Brandon,  June  15th.  I  was  most  cordially  received,  and  I  enjoyed  the 
privilege  of  attending  their  deliberations. 

The  different  Missionary  and  Benevolent  Societies  sustained  by  the 
churches  of  Vermont  hold  their  Anniversaries  in  connection  with  the 
General  Convention. 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  listening  to  an  interesting  discussion  of  the  relation 
of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  to  the  churches,  also  to  the 
x-eport  of  the  Domestic. Missionary  Society.  It  was  apparent  there,  as  in 
other  parts  of  the  country  east  of  the  Hudson,  that  the  railroad  is  build- 
ing up  new  churches  and  pulling  down  old  ones,  as  it  changes  the  centres 
of  population.  •,  The  hills  of  New-England  are  left  for  the  more  attractive 
West,  or  for  the  villages  and  cities  that  spring  up  on  the  line  of  the 
railroad.        ■:  :         ■       ■  '  ■        ■      .         ■ 

.    The  fraternal,  salutations  of  your  Delegate  were  kindly  received,  and 
heartily  responded  to  by  the  Moderator.  :  ■  .  ;.    ;■  ;    i   •  ■:  ■    •    ■ 

Especial  reference  was  made  to  the  position  of  our  Church,  and  to  the 
fact  that  this  was  probably  the  last  interchange  of  Christian  courtesy 
between  the  General  Convention  of  Vermont  and  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
(New,  School.)    ,  ■  .,..•:...,     1.    •    ■• 

The  Moderator,  expressed  the  wish  that  the  same  fraternal  intercourse 
might  be  continued  between  the  United  Church  and  the  Convention;-  and, 
also;  that  all  the  blessings  anticipated  in  the  looked-for  nuptials  might  be 
more  than  realized. 


A.D.  18G9.]  APPENDIX.  507 

My  intercourse  with  the  Convention  and  its  several  individual  members 
was  very  pleasant,  and  will  long  be  remembered. 

Yours  respectfully, 

TIIEO.  S.  BROWN. 
Brookli/v,  N.  y.,  JS^oi:  l.s•^  1800. 


V.     To  THE  Genekai,  Associatiox  of  New-IIampsiiike. 

The  undersigned  endeavored  to  fulBl  his  duty  as  Delegate  to  the  General 
Association  of  New-IIampshire,  by  attending  on  two  days  of  their  late  ses- 
sions, at  Keenc,  N.  H.,  and  by  presenting  the  fraternal  salutations  of  our 
body  to  theirs.  He  took  the  liberty  of  reminding  them  that,  during  the 
preceding  ten  years,  the  interchange  of  Delegates  had  been  a  rather  one- 
sided affair ;  eight  out  of  ten  of  our  Delegates  having  performed  their  duty 
in  person,  while  eight  out  of  ten  of  their  Delegates  to  the  General  Assem- 
bly had  failed  to  appear.  He  assured  the  Association  that,  in  thus  con- 
tinuing to  appoint  Delegates,  and  in  making  such  an  appointment  among 
the  last  of  our  acts  as  a  distinct  Branch  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  we 
intended  to  make  it  clear,  beyond  all  question,  that  our  attachment  to  and 
confidence  in  the  New-England  Churches  was  unabated,  and  that  whatever 
else  Re-union  might  signily,  it  did  not  mean  that  that  affection  and  confi- 
dence were  to  cease. 

These  sentiments  met  with  a  cordial  response,  and  a  Delegate  was  ap- 
pointed to  represent  the  Association  in  the  Assembly  of  1870. 

The  field  of  the  New-Hampshire  Association,  especially  in  the  rural  dis- 
tricts, is  not  an  easy  nor  a  highly  encouraging  one,  on  account  of  the  ten- 
denc}'  to  migrate  both  beyond  the  borders  of  the  State  and  from  the  rural 
to  the  more  thickly  settled  regions.  Yet  the  brethren  evince  zeal  and  cou- 
rage in  their  work.  Contributions  to  the  cause  of  Home  Missions  were 
somewhat  greater  last  year  than  in  any  year  previous.  A  Mission  among 
the  neglected  population  of  the  sea  coast  is  kept  up  with  great  interest  and 
success.  Presbyterian  Ministers  are  welcomed,  perhaps  with  a  more  than 
usual  cordiality  to  the  fields  of  labor  in  this  State,  and  as  little  disposition 
to  magnify  the  differences  of  Church  polity  existing  between  themselves 
and  us  may  be  found  among  the  brethren  of  New-Hampshire  as  in  an}- 
other  of  the  New-England  States. 

Respectfully  submitted, 

JOHN  W.  MEARS. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  Sept.  loth,  18G9. 


YI.    To  THE    General  Association-    of  the    Congregational    Churches 
OF  MASSAcnrsETTS,   1860. 

As  ordered  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1869,  the  undersigned  reports 
that  he  attended  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  General  Association  of  the 
Congregational  Churches  of  Massachusetts,  held  at  Woburn,  June  loth 
16th,  17th. 

Reaching  the  place  of  meeting  on  the  evening  of  the  first  day's  session, 
at  the  invitation  of  the  Association  he  conducted  the  devotional  exercises 
of  the  preaching  service. 

The  next  day,  the  Delegate  presented  the  salutations  of  the  Presbyterian 


508  APPENDIX.  [Nov. 

Church  to  the  Association.  In  his  address,  he  remarked  that  the  prospect 
of  a  speedy  Re-union  of  the  two  great  Branches  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  a  compact  body  might  easily  give  rise  to  the  impression  that  a  more 
rigid  ecclesiasticism  would  lead  to  a  withdrawal  of  a  cordial  fellowship  with 
other  denounnations.  The  contrary  was  the  fact.  With  the  conviction 
that  we  can  do  Christ's  work  better  as  a  United  Church,  is  associated  a 
large-hearted  desire  to  grasp  the  hand  and  draw  close  to  the  heart  of  every 
denomination  which  is  laboring  to  advance  the  Redeemer's  kingdom.  The 
spirit  of  cordial  cooperation  which  had  always  characterized  our  Church, 
he  believed,  would  hereafter  animate  the  whole  body.  Reminded,  as  he 
was,  that  he  was  probably  the  last  Delegate  from  the  New  School  Presby- 
terian Church,  since  before  another  year  the  distinctive  name  will  have  dis- 
appeared, he  referred  to  the  causes  which  had  made  us,  and  were  now  about 
to  make  us  cease  to  be,  a  separate  denomination.  He  spoke  with  gratitude 
to  God,  of  the  fact  that  our  Church  had  been  ever  a  Church  of  freedom  ; 
that  no  mouth  had  ever  been  closed  by  its  order;  that  we  had  stood  un- 
waveringly for  liberty  of  speech  and  of  life ;  that  we  had  suffered  the  loss 
of  many  things  for  it ;  but  that  God  had  watched  over  us,  and  had  brought 
us  out  of  trial,  strong,  compact,  honored,  and  happy  ;  and,  in  the  prospect 
of  Re-union  and  of  greater  power,  there  is  among  us  not  a  spirit  of  exulta- 
tion, but  rather  a  deep  desire  humbly,  but  energetically  and  more  devotedly, 
to  work  for  Christ.  He  expressed  the  hope  and  expectation,  that  fraternal 
salutations  would  be  heard  by  the  Association  next  year  from  the  United 
Presbyterian  Church. 

The  reply  of  the  Moderator  was  warm  and  fraternal,  assuring  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  affection  and  Christian  sympathy  of  the  General  Associa- 
tion, and  their  joy  at  the  prospect  of  our  speedy  Re-union. 

The  Association  seemed  to  be  deeply  interested  in  their  Missionary 
work.  Revivals  of  religion  (one,  at  least)  of  great  power  were  reported, 
and  a  deep-toned  spirituality  pervaded  their  meeting. 

In  the  evening  your  Delegate  addressed,  with  others,  the  Association 
and  a  large  audience,  on  matters  of  general  religious  interest.  He  left  the 
place  the  next  day,  having  been  most  cordially  welcomed  and  honored  as 
the  Delegate  of  the  General  Assembl3^ 

All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted,  WILLIAM  AIRMAN. 

Mw-YorJc,  June  22d,  1869. 


VII.  To  THE  General  Association  of  Conxecticut. 

In  accordance  with  the  appointment  of  the  General  Assembly,  at  its  ses- 
sions in  New-York,  May,  1869,  the  undersigned  attended  the  sessions  of  the 
General  Association  of  Connecticut,  at  New-Haven,  Ct.,  June  15th,  1869. 

In  conveying  the  Christian  salutations  of  the  Assembly  to  that  venerable 
body,  3'our  Delegate  recalled  the  history  of  the  many  occasions  in  the  past, 
when  the  Assembly  and  the  Association  had  held  intercourse  in  reference 
to'  the  great  interests  of  the  Church  in  our  common  country.  Those  occa- 
sions have  been  manj^  and  their  influence  upon  the  spread  of  the  Gospel 
in  the  Colonics,  and  afterwards  in  the  States  of  the  LTnion. 

The  Association  listened  with  interest,  and  manifested  its  great  pleasure 
in  receiving  assurance  of  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  the  General  Assem- 
bly, and  the  hope  that  the  correspondence  would  be  continued  in  the  future 
as  in  the  past. 

In  response,  the  Moderator  of  the  Association  assured  your  Delegate  of 


A.D.    ISOO.j  APPENDIX.  500 

the  continued  fraternal  regard  of  that  body  for  the  Assembly,  and  its  con- 
gratulations upon  the  approaching  Union  of  the  two  Branches  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

If  3'our  Delegate  may  judge  of  the  feeling  of  the  Association  of  Con- 
necticut towards  the  (jeneral  Assembly  by  his  own  reception,  that  feeling 
is  of  the  most  fraternal  character,  and  promises  great  good  to  both  the 
bodies  concerned.  .  Respectfully  submitted, 

WILLIAM  E.  MOORE. 

West-mester,  Pa.,  Mi\  lOtJi,  18G9. 


Date  Due 

Ntete.- 

^ 

